The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Sample Character Analysis: Claude Frollo
Examples
Explanations
Speech
“No one will have her!” (262)
“Cain, what hast thou done with
thy brother?” (338)
Frollo is jealous of any man giving
attention to Esmeralda. He would
rather have Esmeralda her killed
than have her love someone else.
Frollo is despairing over the death
of his brother Jehan. He blames
himself and Esmeralda for the
death of Jehan.
Thoughts
“He plunged wholeheartedly
into evil thoughts and the further
he went into them the more he
felt a satanic laugh rising within
him.” (234)
This demonstrates Frollo’s descent
into evil and madness. He is bitter
because Esmeralda has rejected
him and his passion for her is
consuming him.
Effects on Others
“More than one choirboy had
fled in terror on meeting him
alone in church, so strange and
fiery was his look.” (84)
Frollo was not liked by others. They
suspected that he was a sorcerer
and feared him. He was usually
too absorbed in his thoughts to
notice.
Actions
“When he drew close enough to
recognize Quasimodo,
however, the priest lowered his
eyes, turned his mule around
and spurred it vigorously, as if he
were in a hurry to escape a
humiliation appeal…” (120)
Frollo abandons Quasimodo at
the pillory. It is a sharp contrast to
the devoted and obedient loyalty
that Quasimodo shows to Frollo.
Looks
“He had a severe face with a
wide forehead and piercing
eyes.” (67)
“No part of his face was visible
except his bald, broad
forehead.” (80)
The harshness of his physical
features is a reflection of the
harshness of his heart and his
thoughts. He is an intimidating
figure who looks much older than
he actually is.
