"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
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(p.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 lo...