Esmeralda is the deuteragonist of Disney's 1996 animated feature film The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She is a young Romani woman (referred to as a 'Gypsy' by many), who dwells within the streets of Paris. Esmeralda is an outspoken humanitarian, which drives her to protect the deformed bell-ringer, Quasimodo, from the oppressive regime of Claude Frollo. This act of mercy, coupled with her beauty and ethnic background, makes Esmeralda the primary target of Frollo's wrath.

Esmeralda is a young Romani woman residing underneath Paris, in the hidden catacombs known as the Court of Miracles. She is a member of the Romani culture, led by Clopin, and works as an entertainment performer, or more specifically, a dancer, both on the streets and during more professional events, such as the Festival of Fools. She is regularly accompanied by her goat, Djali, who acts as her pet, confidante, and assistant during her performances.

Esmeralda is shown to be eloquent, street-wise, cunning, positive, moral, and intelligent. She was the sole individual in all of Paris to outright rebel against Frollo during his reign and was openly against the judge's accusations that the Roma were a gang of thieves who engaged in unholy practices of witchcraft. Due to this, she was often the target of arrest, but was able to outsmart and and evade Frollo's grasp time and time again, despite the odds against her. This would only exacerbate Frollo's tyranny, but Esmeralda was not one to sacrifice her freedom to placate Frollo. Even when she was finally captured, and seconds away from death, she remained fiercely defiant, knowing her worth, and refusing to degrade herself by surrendering to Frollo.

Aside from this fiery nature, Esmeralda is ultimately a kind, loving, selfless soul. She was the first human in the film to ever show direct kindness to the deformed and naïve Quasimodo. While Frollo and the rest of Paris viewed him as a monster, based on his appearance, Esmeralda felt otherwise, in spite of the initial shock in response to his appearance. Instead, she treated him as an average person, though with even more patience and kindness, due to his innocent, gentle, and selfless nature—so much so, that her actions were mistaken by Quasimodo for romantic affections. However, Esmeralda's love towards Quasimodo was strictly platonic, proving that forms of deep love and care don't always have to relate to romance. She instead developed romantic feelings for Phoebus. The reason she chose Phoebus over Quasimodo was not that Quasimodo was deformed, but because Quasimodo hadn't fully matured, and his blind adulation for her may have led to him becoming overly reliant on her. Esmeralda's feelings toward Quasimodo briefly change after he saved her from Frollo, and she was willing to die with Quasimodo holding his hand when Frollo was about to strike her with the sword. After she realized Quasimodo was saved, she was willing to choose him over Phoebus. However, at this point, Quasimodo was the one who realized he only loved her as a friend and convinced her to be with Phoebus.

Though she seems to be a sultry and free-spirited person, the song "God Help the Outcasts" shows that Esmeralda cares about God and religion, as she turns to God in prayer at one point, praying for justice for the less fortunate and downtrodden. However, Esmeralda is not a fanatic, as Frollo is. She does not descend into a personal crisis when falling in love with Phoebus. She starts her prayer in the cathedral with, "I don't know if You can hear me, or if You're even there", referring to God, showing that she is not totally convinced of His existence or presence, but still hopes to be heard, nevertheless.

Described as being "the finest girl in France", Esmeralda is a tall and beautiful young Romani woman who is presumed to be in early twenties, with a slender yet curvy and athletic figure, medium-brown skin, dark maroon-brown lips, thick eyebrows and long, puffy and voluminous raven-black hair in which a pink ribbon is tied at the back. Her eyes are a distinctive emerald-green color, and it is implied that is where she got her name (since her name is the Spanish and Portuguese word for "emerald").

For attire, Esmeralda is dressed in a single gold hoop-earring, an off-the-shoulder long-sleeved white top that exposes a bit of her cleavage, with a gold-striped turquoise bodice, a dark purple sarong with gold trimming and decorations, and a long lavender-colored skirt with a white petticoat. She accessorizes with a thick gold cuff-bracelet on her left wrist, as well as thinner bangle bracelets worn on both her wrists (one on her right and two on her left), and a matching anklet on her left ankle.

Esmeralda is often barefoot in the first film, though in the sequel she starts wearing black flats with gray soles.

Esmeralda is first seen dancing in the streets for coins. Two guards come along and harass her, but with the help of Djali and Phoebus, Esmeralda escapes. Later, she's seen in a tent, preparing for her performance at the Festival of Fools, when Quasimodo accidentally stumbles into her tent. She checks him for injury, tells him to be more careful, then compliments his "mask". She is then introduced by Clopin as the star attraction for the Festival of Fools and her dance performance catches the attention of everyone, even Frollo. When the time comes to crown the king of fools, she pulls Quasimodo onto the stage, thinking his face to be a mask. She is understandably surprised to find out it's really his face. When the crowd is torturing Quasimodo, she comes to his aid and accuses Frollo of cruelty for not having intervened sooner and for not providing justice to those who most need it. Frollo orders her arrest for her defiance, but she uses stage magic to disappear, for which Frollo accuses her of witchcraft.

Esmeralda expertly dodges and outwits the soldiers sent after her and ultimately disappears from view by flipping onto a tent, after sufficiently humiliating Frollo and the sentries. Esmeralda is next seen following Quasimodo into the cathedral disguised together with Djali as an old man, but is followed by Phoebus. She is initially aggressive towards him, up to the point of attacking him with a candelabra, but engages in conversation when he puts away his sword and introduces himself. When Frollo arrives and orders Phoebus to arrest her, Phoebus refuses, saying that Esmeralda has claimed sanctuary. Frollo and the soldiers are ordered out of the church by the Archdeacon. Frollo stays behind long enough to warn her that she can only stay inside for so long, then proceeds to sexually harass her, eliciting repulsion from her. Frollo leaves and stations guards at every door, forcing Esmeralda to rethink her exit strategy. The Archdeacon counsels her against antagonizing Frollo further, and at his suggestion, she offers a heartfelt prayer to God to help her and her people.

Enchanted by her song, Quasimodo watches from afar and stumbles on some candles, alerting her of his presence after a parishioner loudly accuses him of causing trouble. Quasimodo escapes away to the bell tower, and she chases him, attempting to apologize to him for bringing him onto the stage. She then stumbles upon Quasimodo's workshop and is instantly impressed by his talent. He understands that she means him no harm and decides to give her a tour of the bell tower. He shows her the many bells in the cathedral which he named himself. He then shows her the view which amazes her the most. Esmeralda then expresses her surprise that such a cruel man like Frollo raised such a wonderful boy. Quasimodo says that Frollo took him in even though he is a monster. Esmeralda cites Frollo's lie that Romani are evil and says Frollo may be wrong about them both. Quasimodo offers to let her live with him in the bell tower, where she can have a sanctuary, but she expresses her desire to escape the church as "Gypsies don't do well in stone walls". Quasimodo carries her and Djali down the tower to the streets, where she can escape. Esmeralda asks him to come with her, but he knows he wouldn't be welcome, and his place remains in the tower. Esmeralda promises they will meet again and gives him a pendant that will lead him to the Court of Miracles, where all the Romani are hiding. Shortly afterwards, Frollo learns of her escape and initiates a manhunt for her and throws the city into chaos.

She observes from a distance and sees him burn down an innocent family's house. Phoebus saves them in time and is nearly executed for it. She uses her sash to slingshot a rock at Frollo's horse, creating a diversion that allows Phoebus to escape by horseback, but Frollo has his guards shoot Phoebus, who is knocked off of Frollo's horse and into the river below. Esmeralda's quick thinking and medical attention save Phoebus' life, and she brings him to Quasimodo whom she knows will help her. She tends to his wounds and passionately kisses Phoebus, unwittingly breaking Quasimodo's heart as he was convinced she loved him. She escapes the bell tower when she hears Frollo approaching and leaves Phoebus in Quasimodo's care. Frollo bluffs that he knows where the Court of Miracles is and that he'll attack it at dawn with a thousand men. Quasimodo and Phoebus quickly reach the Court of Miracles using the map Esmerelda gave them to try and warn everyone. At first, the two are almost hanged by Clopin for being spies, but Esmeralda appears just in time to stop Clopin and clear up the whole situation. Phoebus reveals that Frollo will be attacking at dawn. Esmerelda states that they all need to leave immediately. She embraces Phoebus thanking him for coming to warn them even though it was a risk, but Phoebus tells her Quasimodo is to thank. Seconds later, Frollo suddenly appears with his army, having used Quasimodo to lead him there. Frollo claims that Quasimodo lead him right to Esmeralda, who's furious to hear this, but instead of allowing the blame to fall on Quasimodo, she calls Frollo a liar. She and everyone are captured and she's sentenced to burn at the stake for the crime of witchcraft. In the square the next day at dawn a large crowd protests Esmerelda's execution. As Frollo holds the torch to set the pyre ablaze, he offers her one last chance to be with him or be burned. She spits in his face in utter contempt as she refuses to be his lover, and he attempts to burn her alive.

She is saved in time by Quasimodo, but only after suffering smoke inhalation and falling unconscious. Quasimodo cries over her seemingly dead body before fighting off Frollo. Esmeralda manages to awaken, alive, and is rescued by Quasimodo from Frollo's attacks. They hide by holding onto the balcony of the bell tower, beneath Frollo's line of sight, but Frollo finds them and attacks them with his sword. Eventually, Esmeralda is knocked away and Frollo tries to get Quasimodo off his feet but is pulled down with Quasimodo. Esmeralda holds Quasi for dear life and was willing to die with Quasimodo as Frollo climbs up on a gargoyle and prepares to strike her with his sword, saying, "And he shall smite the wicked and plunge them into a fiery pit!" However, the gargoyle breaks off the cathedral, causing Frollo to fall to his fiery death. Esmeralda loses her grip on Quasimodo, but Phoebus, who found a way into the cathedral after Quasimodo and the gargoyles poured molten lead that prevented Frollo's soldiers from breaking in, saves him.

Esmeralda is relieved seeing Quasimodo saved and rushes into his arms, choosing him over Phoebus. Phoebus, realizing Quasimodo's feelings for Esmeralda, stands aside so Quasimodo can be with her. However, Quasimodo, now knowing he only loves Esmeralda as a friend, pulls them together and interlocks their hands. Quasimodo and Esmeralda look into each other's eyes, assuring her she should be with Phoebus, and she nods in agreement. Quasimodo gives them his blessing, and the two kiss. As Phoebus and Esmeralda emerge safely from the church to cheers to triumph from the crowd, Esmeralda extends her hand to Quasimodo to join them outside. As Quasimodo joins her, he is finally accepted into the town population.

Esmeralda has married Phoebus and they have a son named Zephyr. She also wears black shoes instead of being barefoot. Her role in the film is much smaller than her part in the original, with the story now focusing on Quasimodo finding a love interest in Madellaine.

Whenever Quasimodo had problems in the film, he usually turned to Esmeralda for advice. At one point, a very valuable bell was stolen by the new antagonist, Sarousch. Though distressed about the situation, Esmeralda joined Phoebus in watching a newly revealed (albeit misunderstood) villain named Madellaine and any other prisoners. When Madellaine revealed Sarousch was taking the bell to an underground escape passage, Esmeralda convinced a suspicious Phoebus to give her the benefit of the doubt. As such, Phoebus pursued Sarousch, and Esmeralda followed.

After Sarousch was arrested and their son rescued, Esmeralda returned to the festival with everyone else. She and Phoebus were shown to have reconciled as they are seen smiling at each other before sharing a kiss. Esmeralda then smiled as she witnessed the new union of Quasimodo and Madellaine.

Esmeralda makes a few cameo appearances in the House of Mouse, usually with Quasimodo. Her most notable appearance is in "Ask Von Drake", she is seen dancing on a table during Ludwig Von Drake's song.

In Once Upon a Studio, after Goofy accidentally destroys the camera intended for a group photo, a disappointed Esmeralda is seen returning inside with many of her cohorts until Alan-A-Dale starts a singalong to "When You Wish Upon a Star". Esmeralda joins in, and can be seen standing beside Phoebus and Frollo in the final shot.

Esmeralda appears in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, in her homeworld La Cité des Cloches, with a role similar to that of the film.

When Riku arrives in the city, Esmeralda runs past him after she escapes from Frollo and Phoebus through a magic trick. Phoebus approaches Riku and questions if he saw a "gypsy" (a degrading term for Romani people) pass him, to which he denies.

Once Phoebus was gone, a grateful Esmeralda introduces herself to Riku and expresses her gratitude to him. Later, she helps Quasimodo escape into Notre Dame after things went wrong during the Festival of Fools. However, Claude Frollo, the Minister of Justice of Paris and Quasimodo's guardian, who harbors a deep hatred for Romani people, prevents her from leaving by posting guards at the entrances as vengeance for saving the hunchback. Inside, Quasimodo offers her a place at the sanctuary.

However, Esmeralda declined as she didn't want to be confined between stone walls and gave Quasimodo a necklace that would guide him to the Court of Miracles, before leaving to return to the streets. Later, Quasimodo, Phoebus, and Sora meet her at the Court of Miracles, who come and warn her that Frollo is coming. Before they have time to escape, he comes with an army of Nightmares and seizes Esmeralda, who is later condemned to be burnt at a stake. Quasimodo manages to rescue her and following the battle that ultimately led to Frollo's death, Quasimodo blesses her relationship with Phoebus.

Esmeralda is a playable character in Disney Heroes: Battle Mode, she is Support Role hero. Her main skill is recreating the 'Justice!' moment from the movie, this skills grants allies speed buffs and energizes them. She also performs her fire trick performance to attack enemies, and switches places with Djali to summon him as ally on the battlefield, he then will keep attacking enemies, while Esmeralda will be in the back.

Esmeralda's friendship campaigns are with Robin Hood and Goliath. Other friendship campaigns are with Quasimodo and Phoebus.

In the German musical adaptation of the film, Esmeralda is portrayed as a young dancer who is a newcomer to the Court of Miracles. She gets very frustrated with inequality. She has difficulty keeping her thoughts to herself which is why she had to move to Paris and why she gets in trouble with Frollo. Not as sassy as she is in the film, she comes off as sweeter and naive, which is more akin to the original novel. in the musical, is not her who brings Phoebus to Quasimodo, with that part being given to the Archdeacon. The musical features a new scene between Esmeralda's capture and execution, in which she sings "Someday" as a way to express her dying wish of the world becoming a better place. As in the original novel, Esmeralda dies, though she is killed by smoke inhalation instead of by Frollo. Her death causes Quasimodo to kill Frollo, and, in the end, carries her corpse and leaves Notre Dame.

In the North American musical, Esmeralda's role is similar to the original musical. However, one of the main differences is that she does not go to Notre Dame to hide from Frollo, since Frollo in this version is the cathedral's archdeacon, instead simply following Quasimodo out of curiosity. During this visit, Esmeralda meets Frollo, with Frollo ultimately agreeing to let Esmeralda stay inside the cathedral for a time. Another notable difference is that she and Phoebus share their first kiss inside a tavern in which gypsies hide, unknowingly being watched by a disgusted Frollo. This version of the musical also has Esmeralda bringing an injured Phoebus as in the original film and giving him during that moment the amulet with the map. It also alters the "Someday" number, with Frollo offering to save Phoebus instead of her if she agrees to be his mistress, and sings "Someday" as a duet with Phoebus instead of a solo. While she dies in the end as in the original musical, her fate also slightly differs as, after her and Frollo's death, Quasimodo holds her corpse until starving to death.

Esmeralda is very rarely seen in the Disney theme parks around the world. She made her debut near the initial release of the original film.

In 1996-1998, Esmeralda appeared in The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Festival of Fools, performing a solo dance.

She can also be spotted, occasionally, on the Mark Twain Riverboat in Fantasmic! at Disneyland.

In 2013, she made appearances during Long Lost Friends week, for meet-and-greet sessions alongside Clopin and Frollo.

Esmeralda appeared playing a role similar to that of the film in the live, stage show The Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Adventure.

Esmeralda currently makes meet-and-greet appearances in Fantasyland of Tokyo Disneyland park.

Esmeralda primarily appears in Disneyland Paris, where she has appeared for meet-and-greets, as well as live shows during the seasonal events of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Esmeralda appeared in the 2010 event as one of Stitch's invited guests in Stitch and Friends Summer Surprise.

The filmmakers originally wanted Esmeralda to kill Judge Frollo in order to save Quasimodo. Esmeralda would've jumped onto the ledge then grabbed Quasimodo's hand. Judge Frollo would've attempted to kill Quasimodo with his sword, then Esmeralda would've kicked Judge Frollo off the cathedral, causing Frollo to fall to his death. This idea was ultimately abandoned, as having a heroine kill the villain was considered improper in a family film and may have gotten the film a PG-13 rating. Of course, just two years later, Mulan would be the first Disney heroine to kill her film's villain.

Animator Andreas Deja once noted having an interest in animating Esmeralda during the development of The Hunchback of Notre Dame but moved onto another assignment as the supervising animator had already been cast.^[4]

Early in The Rescuers Down Under, there is a Romani-modeled mouse in the Rescue Aid Society also called "Esmeralda", six years prior to Hunchback. It is presumed the name is likewise associated with the character from the Hugo novel and not an inspiration for the Disney version.

Although it is never revealed the film hints that Esmeralda at first did have feelings for Quasimodo but she thought that he didn't feel the same way which is why she went to Phoebus because she knew he did feel the same way she did. This is hinted because of her asking Quasimodo to come to the Court of Miracles with her and offering to come and see him and the reason why she probably thought that he didn't feel the same way is when he came with excuses why none of those would be possible.

Ironically, her voice actress, Demi Moore, has voiced another alluring woman Dallas Grimes from Beavis and Butthead Do America, which was released six months after Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Unlike Esmeralda, however, Dallas is a femme fatale who willingly tempts any male to get what she wants.

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