Notre-Dame de Paris · Chapter
II: Pierre Gringoire explained
The chapter introduces Pierre Gringoire, the author of a mystery play being performed at the Palais de Justice.
What happens
The chapter introduces Pierre Gringoire, the author of a mystery play being performed at the Palais de Justice. The performance is delayed by the late arrival of the Cardinal de Bourbon, causing the crowd to grow restless and hostile. Gringoire's ecstasy at seeing his work performed is disrupted by the chaos, but a stranger (later revealed to be Gringoire himself) intervenes to calm the crowd and persuade the actor Michel Giborne (Jupiter) to begin the play. The chapter also includes Gringoire's interaction with two young women, Gisquette and Liénarde, who ask about the actor playing Jupiter.
Themes in this chapter
The Power of the Crowd
The crowd's impatience and hostility force the performance to begin, demonstrating their collective power over the proceedings.
Appearance and Identity
The allegorical characters' costumes and labels (Nobility, Clergy, Merchandise, Labor) emphasize how appearance defines identity in the play.
Characters to notice
- Pierre Gringoire
The poet and author of the mystery play, who watches his work from behind a pillar and later intervenes to save the performance.
- Michel Giborne
The actor playing Jupiter in the mystery, who is terrified by the crowd's hostility and is rescued by Gringoire.
- Gisquette la Gencienne
A young woman in the audience who, with Liénarde, speaks to Gringoire about the actor playing Jupiter.
- Liénarde
A young woman in the audience who, with Gisquette, asks Gringoire about the actor playing Jupiter.
- Joannes Frollo de Molendino
A scholar who shouts for the play to begin and incites the crowd against the delay.
- Robin Poussepain
A clerk who joins Joannes in shouting for the play to begin and mocking the cardinal.
Key passages
“In forest ne'er was seen a more triumphant beast.”
No forest has ever seen a more victorious animal.
A line from the mystery play's prologue, spoken by the character Labor.
“Begin instantly! The mystery! the mystery immediately!”
Start the play right now! We want the mystery play at once!
The crowd's demand for the performance to begin without further delay.