The historical framing plot of Notre-Dame de Paris depicts the ambitions of the cruel king of France, Louis XI. Hugo suggests his character—suspicious and sadistic—by showing him prefer an apartment on the top floor of the new Bastille fortress-prison to residence in the Royal Palace. He likes to be near those he torments. But, without his knowing it, his Bastille will be demolished in the Revolution of 1789, and he himself is imprisoned by the unpredictable historical forces that thwart his schemes. Louis hopes to perpetuate his dynasty by marrying his son to a wealthy heiress; to crush the power of the nobility; and to secure his northern border against the English. The English had finally been driven out of France at the …
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Citation: Porter, Laurence M.. "Notre-Dame de Paris". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 22 February 2011; last revised 04 March 2011. [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=11225, accessed 21 November 2024.]
