Quasimodo

Quasimodo is a fictional character created by Victor Hugo for his 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, or Notre-Dame de Paris. The given name comes from Quasimodo geniti, a Latin term used for the Sunday after Easter in the Catholic liturgical calendar.

In the novel, Quasimodo is the bell-ringer of Notre-Dame Cathedral in 15th-century Paris. Found as a baby and raised by the cathedral's archdeacon, Claude Frollo, he is described as physically deformed—a hunchbacked figure who is largely isolated from society. Despite this, he is gentle and loyal, forming a bond with Esmeralda, a Romani dancer, whom he protects when possible. His character is central to themes such as mercy, prejudice, and the humanity that can lie behind appearances. He is manipulated by Frollo and plays a role in the novel's conflicts.

The character has become the best-known depiction of a bell-ringer and a symbol of mercy and resilience. Quasimodo has been adapted widely in films, stage works, and other media. The most famous adaptation is Disney's 1996 animated film The Hunchback of Notre Dame, in which Quasimodo is portrayed as a sympathetic hero who befriends Esmeralda and opposes Frollo; the film expands his backstory and adds musical numbers. He has since appeared in numerous stage productions and other retellings, which continue to adapt Hugo's themes for different audiences.