The hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo

Artwork by Ilaria Vignoni

In the novel a fundamental role is reserved for Esmeralda. Young gypsy woman, carefree, dancer and life lover, she finds herself between three hearts, three men who burn with desire for her. Quasimodo who falls in love with her because she is the only one who notices him and is not afraid of his monstrous appearance, the archdeacon Frollo completely infatuated with her and with the desire to possess her but conflicted in preserving his role as a man of the church. Finally, Febo, the charming captain of the guards, aware of the gypsy girl's infatuation with him, wants to take advantage of her. In all of them this passion is managed and manifested differently and then repressed and repudiated. Frollo transforms the passion into hatred, condemning her to death while Febo denies any relationship with her and marries a noble woman in order not to ruin his serious reputation.

Only Quasimodo, harshly tried by the death of the gypsy, clutches the body and lets himself die next to her.