Chapters 36 and 37

Summary

La Esmeralda is taken to a dungeon, where she is tortured. During the torture, the KingÂ’s proctor, Jacques Charmolue, coerces her into signing a confession. Having duly confessed, La Esmeralda is escorted back to court, where she is formally sentenced to death. Her goat, Djali, will suffer the same fate. After the sentencing is complete, La Esmeralda is taken away in shackles.

Jacques Charmolue proves he is a fierce man. During the trial, he uses the tricks of the goat to convict La Esmeralda and sentence her to torture. Then during the torture, he coerces her to sign a confession. The pain that she endures is so great that she reaches a state where she no longer cares if she lives; in fact, she feels that death would be a welcome relief.

Although Claude Frollo is not seen at any point during La EsmeraldaÂ’s trial or sentencing, his evil presence is still clearly felt. He, rather than La Esmeralda, is the one who should be enduring the pain and suffering and receiving the death sentence for the murder of Phoebus.

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