Esmeralda — The Hunchback of Notre Dame Character Profile

About Esmeralda

A young gypsy dancer celebrated during the Feast of Fools. She shows compassion by giving water to the imprisoned Quasimodo. After Frollo frames her for Phoebus's murder and sentences her to death, she is rescued by Quasimodo. Eventually pardoned by King Louis XI and departs with Gringoire.

Character Facts

Played by

Maureen O'Hara

Appears in

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (4)

• Esmeralda — Romantic Unrequited Lust — Frollo (Cedric Hardwicke)

  Frollo harbors obsessive, forbidden desire for Esmeralda, driving his persecution of her.

• Esmeralda — Romantic True Love — Gringoire (Edmond O'Brien)

  Gringoire is Esmeralda's genuine romantic partner and companion at the story's conclusion.

• Esmeralda — Alliance Protector — Clopin (Thomas Mitchell)

  Clopin leads the marginalized community to defend Esmeralda and the cathedral's sanctuary rights.

• Esmeralda — Romantic Lover — Phoebus (Alan Marshal)

  Phoebus and Esmeralda share a genuine romantic connection before his murder.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of The Hunchback of Notre Dame

More characters from The Hunchback of Notre Dame

• The Hunchback Quasimodo (Charles Laughton)
• Frollo (Cedric Hardwicke)
• Clopin (Thomas Mitchell)
• Old Nobleman (Fritz Leiber)
• Gringoire (Edmond O'Brien)
• Student (Curt Bois)
• Phoebus (Alan Marshal)
• Queen of Beggars (Minna Gombell)
• Archdeacon (Walter Hampden)
• Olivier (Arthur Hohl)
• Court Clerk (Spencer Charters)
• Beggar (George Tobias)