Book 7, Chapter 7, The Specter Monk
The Shadow Notre Dame de Paris 2011-2012 Asian Tour
I find this chapter silly and I think it’s meant to be so, people forget how silly this book can be because of the ending.
Basically Frollo, in creepy monk form falls Phoebus. After they exchange some words, Frollo calls Phoebus a liar about meeting Esmeralda, which gets a real bee in P-boy’s bonnet and he tires to challenge Frollo.
Frollo deals him by telling him for he is forgetting his date but poor Phoebus wants both the fight and the girl but darn he is out cash. Frollo gives him the money in exchange for letting him watch and he ensures Phoebus that one day he will slit Phoebus‘ throat. Phoebus seems unfazed by this and lets him in the room to watch.
You have to wonder what is going through Phoebus‘ head? I know he is over confident but really. Ah well, he is probably a but drunk from the previous chapter.
Book 7, Chapter 8, The Advantage of Windows Overlooking the River
Jean Danet as Phoebus & Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda,1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
In this chapter Phoebus brings Esmeralda to the fateful room where Frollo is watching. Phoebus is ready sex Esmeralda up but she is not really in to as she is innocent and wants to maintain her purity so she can find her parents. Phoebus is working his pick-up lines and love speeches into overtime which eventually wins over Esmeralda but then Phoebus gets stabby-stab by Mr. Frollo.
Pretty much till the end of this chapter where Esmeralda is arrested, this chapter plays out on the humorous side. Gotta love Phoebus‘ butchering Esmeralda names and poor dear naive Esmeralda tell him she’ll change it for him. I do think him calling her Similar is very silly. Then there is all Phoebus’ love lines and Miss Esmeralda falling for them. It’s a rather silly chapter.
Also the description of Frollo’s face as he stabs Phoebus always reminded me of the Grinch.
I always interrupted this chapter as Phoebus being slightly drunk; not quite as drunk as Jehan…maybe Phoebus had a few to unwind (Jehna probably decided it was an “all you can drink” buffet and tried to drink it all). And when you’re somewhat drunk, you don’t really question things that much, so a spectre monk following you at night, giving you money for the room and wanting to watch doesn’t seem as odd as it probably would, were Phoebus sober.
I always thought it odd that Phoebus never said “show your face” to the “phantom monk”…that would make an interesting fanfiction/fanart piece thought.
Hey! What about the part where Frollo “sneaks” in a kiss at the end of the 8th chapter?!
That was quite the scene!