Esmeralda, whose real name is Agnes, is a beautiful sixteen-year-old girl who was kidnapped by gypsies and earns her living by dancing on the streets of Paris. She lives with her clever goat, Djali, whom she keeps by her side at all times. Her beauty inspires admiration (and jealousy) wherever she goes. When she gets into trouble one night because of Quasimodo and Frollo, she becomes devoted to Captain Phoebus, who saves her, as if he were the love of her life. Her simple magic shows, combined with her love for Phoebus, draw the attention of a bigoted society. Her refusal to succumb to Archdeacon Frollo's desire to possess her leads to her being falsely accused of witchcraft and murder, subjected to torture, and ultimately sent to the gallows.
Esmeralda is the illegitimate daughter of Paquette la Chantefleurie from Reims. Because she was very beautiful as a baby (when her name was Agnes), she was stolen by Gypsies and replaced by the deformed Quasimodo. She grew up with Gypsies in Spain and the surrounding regions before coming to Paris. She does not know her own identity.
16 years old, very dark-skinned, perfectly shaped body, slim-waisted, large pitch-black eyes, a lively and joyful young girl. She wears colorful, exotic dresses embroidered with gold and sequins.
Quasimodo
Her strange protector whom she fears but whose loyalty she finds surprising
Claude Frollo
Her cruel murderer whom she loathes
Pierre Gringoire
A husband on paper whom she married out of mercy but could not fall in love with
Phoebus de Châteaupers
Her fake hero whom she loves adoringly and whom she believes to be faultless
Paquette la Chantefleurie
Her real mother, whom she fears out of ignorance