Quasimodo, nicknamed the Hunchback of Notre Dame, was born in 15th century Paris with multiple deformities. He was abandoned at birth at the Notre Dame Cathedral and left to the care of Claude Frollo, the Archdeacon of Notre Dame, who treated Quasimodo with cruelty and contempt. The boy grew up isolated in the bell tower. He found solace in the bells and soon became the cathedral’s bell-ringer, ultimately losing his hearing to them. His solitude was interrupted when he encountered Esmeralda, a Romani woman. As he developed deep feelings for her, his life took a dramatic turn.
During the Feast of Fools, Quasimodo saved Esmerelda from execution for a crime she did not commit and gave her sancuary at the cathedral. Tragedy would still befall them both. In the end, the Hunchback of Notre Dame found redemption through his sacrifice and emerged as a symbol of compassion during a turbulent era in Paris. His selfless actions earned him the sympathy and respect of those who had once called him a monster
Victor Hugo first published his story on this day in 1831. There was a real hunchbacked stone carver, nicknamed Le Bossu (French for The Hunchback), working on Notre Dame in the 1820s, and as Hugo had close links with the cathedral’s restoration, he was likely the initial inspiration for Quasimodo.
Name meaning: The infant was delivered to the cathedral on Quasimodo Sunday, which is the Sunday the week after Easter.
Music Du Jour: Disney’s soundtrack for the Hunchback
Films Du Jour:
- Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1923)
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Animated 1996)
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1957)
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982) recommended
Snacks du Jour: Here’s the Disney snack ad for the Hunchback in 1996.
Cocktail Du Jour – The Quasimodo French Old Fashioned
This recipe is from Scott Keys at the Charles H Baker Room:
- 2 oz cognac
- 5 oz Yellow Chartreuse
- 125 oz (1/8th oz) simple syrup
Stir all ingredients together and pour the mixture over a single big ice cube in a whiskey glass. Lay a sprig of fresh thyme over the ice cube for garnish.
Mocktail Du Jour – Quasimodo French Old Fashioned Mocktail
- 2 oz Ritual Zero Proof Whiskey
- 25 oz lemon juice
- 25 oz honey
- 5 fresh basil leaves
Muddle all ingredients with the basil leaves and strain the mixture over a single big ice cube in a whiskey glass. Lay a sprig of fresh thyme over the ice cube for garnish.
Beer Du Jour
Quasimodo Belgian Quadruple from Three Taverns or Founders French Toast Bastard
Wine Du Jour
Amour De Paris Sparkling Wine
Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.
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Photo credit: “Charles Laughton” by twm1340 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
