# Master Jacques Coppenole explained — Notre-Dame de Paris

> Chapter companion for Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

The Flemish envoy Jacques Coppenole, a hosier by trade, boldly asserts his commoner status before the cardinal and the court, winning the crowd's admiration. His arrival and the subsequent interruptions by other dignitaries completely derail Gringoire's theatrical performance, leaving the poet in despair.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Injustice and Class

Coppenole's insistence on being announced as a hosier challenges the rigid class hierarchy, earning him the crowd's admiration.

### The Power of the Crowd

The audience's shifting attention and collective reactions dictate the fate of Gringoire's play, demonstrating the crowd's influence.

## Character check-ins

### Master Jacques Coppenole

The Flemish hosier who proudly insists on being announced by his trade, challenging the court's hierarchy and winning the crowd's favor.

### Pierre Gringoire

The playwright whose prologue is repeatedly interrupted by the arrival of dignitaries, leaving him frustrated and desperate.

### Guillaume Rym

The polished Flemish envoy who tries to smooth over Coppenole's bluntness with the cardinal.

### Jehan Frollo du Moulin

A scholar among the crowd who vocally opposes restarting the mystery play.

### Master Jacques Charmolue

Announced as procurator to the king in the Ecclesiastical Courts, contributing to the interruptions.

## Key lines

> No, cross of God? he exclaimed, in his voice of thunder, 'Jacques Coppenole, hosier. Do you hear, usher? Nothing more, nothing less. Cross of God! hosier; that's fine enough.'

Coppenole loudly insists that the usher announce him simply as a hosier, rejecting any grander title.

_Coppenole's defiance of courtly protocol underscores his pride in his common origins._

> This was becoming unbearable. This strange accompaniment, which rendered it difficult to follow the piece, made Gringoire all the more indignant because he could not conceal from himself the fact that the interest was continually increasing, and that all his work required was a chance of being heard.

The constant interruptions from the usher announcing new arrivals made it impossible for the audience to follow Gringoire's play, fueling his frustration.

_Gringoire's artistic ambitions are thwarted by the chaotic social proceedings._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/notre_dame_de_paris_se/chapters/iv-master-jacques-coppenole
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/notre_dame_de_paris_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/notre_dame_de_paris_se/chapters