Quasimodo

Quasimodo, in the novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831) by Victor Hugo, is the fictional bell-ringer of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. He is characterized by his physical deformities, including a hunchback, a large wart covering one eye, and other facial distortions. Abandoned as a baby and left at the cathedral, he is raised by Claude Frollo, the Archdeacon of Notre-Dame, who gives him the name Quasimodo, meaning "half-formed" in Latin (though this etymology is debated; Hugo also suggests it could refer to the Sunday after Easter, Quasimodo Sunday, when foundlings were often left).

Quasimodo's isolation and mistreatment by the populace of Paris have left him fearful and largely deaf. However, he possesses great physical strength and a deeply loyal, if sometimes misguided, affection for Frollo. His world revolves around the cathedral and its bells, which he rings with great skill and passion, though the sound further damages his hearing.

The novel explores themes of beauty versus ugliness, societal prejudice, and the power of compassion. Quasimodo, despite his appearance, is portrayed as ultimately possessing a kind and noble heart. He forms a profound bond with Esmeralda, a Roma girl, and his desperate attempts to protect her from Frollo's obsessive lust drive much of the plot.

Quasimodo's character has become a symbol of those marginalized by society due to physical appearance or other differences. He has been adapted numerous times in film, television, and stage productions, further cementing his place in popular culture as a figure of pathos and resilience. The character is often interpreted as a commentary on societal values and the importance of looking beyond superficial appearances to see inner worth.