Hunchback of notre dame, theme
Hunchback of notre dame, theme"Love is a universal language." This popular quote from many movies and literary works describes the importance of love, and how there are no limits or barriers when dealing with love. Many people cannot even help whether or not they fall in love. There are many types of love and they need not be between members of opposite sexes. In Victor Hugo's novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Quasimodo's love for Esmerelda is not as strong as his different sense of love for the Archdeacon, Claude Frollo. Quasimodo loves each person in a different manner, but is truer to the Archdeacon. The hunchback feels, among other things, a love described as Eros for the Mistress Esmerelda; whereas, for the Archdeacon the love he feels is known as Philia. While Quasimodo is drawn to Esmerelda by her inner beauty and personal qualities, he admires the Archdeacon for his powerful position in the social structure of the town. Throughout the story, Quasimodo does his best to protect Esmerelda. Contrarily, he is protected by the Archdeacon. There are four types of love, only one of which involves a man's physical love for a woman and vice versa. This type of love is known as Eros.
It is defined as a relationship in which two parties are physically attracted to one another. Esmerelda, the gypsy, is quite beautiful. She dances in the midst of a crowd near a bonfire:
All eyes were fixed on her, all mouths hung open. As
she danced to the rhythm of the tambourine which her
round, delicate arms held over her head, she seemed
to be some sort of supernatural creature. (22)
Quasimodo is taken by her loveliness just like most other men. However, because he is deformed and hideous, Quasimodo's physical attraction to the Mistress is unrequited. Nevertheless, this attraction is uncontrollable. Although he never acts upon his urges nor openly displays his affection, the hunchback feels the type of love called Eros for Esmerelda.
Accordingly, he feels a different kind of love for the Archdeacon: Philia. Just as Eros as love stems from physical factors, Philia is a result of external factors. The Archdeacon is a man of God. He is considered the religious authority in Paris. Quasimodo resides in the Notre Dame Cathedral. He takes a great interest in God, and apparently shares this interest with the Archdeacon. Quasimodo was taken in by Claude Frollo when he was quite young. The two men grew quite close together:
When the poor bellringer became deaf the two men developed
a mysterious language of signs and gestures which was
understood by them alone. Thus the Archdeacon was the only
person with whom Quasimodo maintained communication. (65)
The hunchback feels a sense of love based on comradery and years of relations. He...
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