Esmeralda Timeline and Summary

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Esmeralda Timeline and Summary

  • Esmeralda is born to Paquette la Chantefleurie. While still a baby, she is kidnapped by gypsies.
  • Esmeralda comes to Paris and dances in the street with her pet goat Djali.
  • On the night of the Festival of Fools, Quasimodo and Frollo attempt to kidnap Esmeralda. She is valiantly rescued by Phœbus.
  • When Gringoire is about to be hanged at the Cour des Miracles, Esmeralda saves his life by offering to marry him. Their marriage is strictly in name, though.
  • Esmeralda is brought to the Gondelaurier mansion to perform for Fleur-de-Lis and her friends. While there, the Fleur-de-Lis and the girls discover that Djali has been taught to spell out "Phœbus" with block letters, and they kick Esmeralda out. Phœbus follows her and arranges to meet her later.
  • Esmeralda meets Phœbus at a dingy inn where he attempts to seduce her. Just as she gives in, Frollo jumps out of a closet and stabs him. Esmeralda passes out, and when she comes to, she finds herself accused of stabbing Phœbus.
  • At her trial, Esmeralda refuses to confess. She is briefly tortured and admits to anything and everything. Her sentence is death.
  • While in prison, Esmeralda is visited by Frollo, who professes his love for her and begs her to come away with him. She refuses, and Frollo tells her that Phœbus is dead.
  • Esmeralda is brought in front of Notre-Dame to do penance before her execution.
  • Just as she is being led away, Esmeralda sees Phœbus watching her from a balcony. She is then rescued by Quasimodo.
  • Frollo tries to rape Esmeralda while she is in Notre-Dame.
  • When the Tramps attack the cathedral, Gringoire and Frollo come to Esmeralda's room to lead her away.
  • Frollo gets Esmeralda alone and takes her to the Place de Grève, where he tells her to choose between the gallows and him. She chooses the gallows.
  • Frollo gives Esmeralda to the Sack Woman, who is all too happy to see Esmeralda die. But then it's revealed that Esmeralda is actually her long-lost daughter.
  • The reunion doesn't last, though, and guards come to execute Esmeralda.
  • Esmeralda's body is taken to Montfaucon, where it is found in the embrace of Quasimodo years later.