The Effect Which Seven Oaths in the Open Air Can Produce explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Obsession and Destructive Love

  Dom Claude's secret pursuit of Phoebus and his intense reaction to the mention of La Esmeralda demonstrate the archdeacon's growing, destructive obsession.

• Appearance and Identity

  Phoebus's concern about being recognized by La Esmeralda and his boastful demeanor highlight the gap between his public persona and private actions.

Characters to notice

• Jehan Frollo

  Steals his brother's purse and gleefully descends from the cell, then meets Captain Phoebus and proposes a drinking outing.

• Dom Claude Frollo

  Observes Jehan and Phoebus from a distance, overhears their conversation about La Esmeralda, and follows them with growing agitation.

• Captain Phoebus de Châteaupers

  Swears loudly outside his betrothed's house, accepts Jehan's invitation to drink, and reveals a planned rendezvous with La Esmeralda that evening.

• La Esmeralda

  Mentioned by Phoebus as the Bohemian girl with a goat; he fears being seen by her and discloses a planned meeting with her that night.

• Master Jacques Charmolue

  Present with Dom Claude before the carving, but is left dumbfounded when the archdeacon abruptly departs to follow Jehan and Phoebus.

Key passages

• “Te Deum laudamus! exclaimed Master Jehan, creeping out from his hole, 'the screech-owls have departed. Och! och! Hax! pax! max! fleas! mad dogs! the devil! I have had enough of their conversation! My head is humming like a bell tower. And mouldy cheese to boot! Come on! Let us descend, take the big brother's purse and convert all these coins into bottles!'”

  Jehan Frollo emerges from hiding, joyfully declaring that the annoying visitors have left. He complains about the tedious conversation and the stale cheese, then resolves to take his brother's purse and spend the money on drink.

  Jehan's irreverent and opportunistic character is immediately established as he plans to steal from his own brother.

• “Horns and thunder! replied the captain. Horns and thunder yourself! replied the student. Come now, fair captain, whence comes this overflow of fine words?”

  Phoebus swears loudly, and Jehan matches his oath, then asks why he is so agitated.

  The exchange of oaths between Jehan and Phoebus sets a tone of camaraderie and reckless bravado.

• “I have just been with those prudes, and when I come forth, I always find my throat full of curses, I must spit them out or strangle, ventre et tonnerre!”

  Phoebus explains that after spending time with the prim ladies of the Gondelaurier household, he feels compelled to swear violently to relieve his frustration.

  Phoebus's disdain for polite society and his need to vent through cursing reveal his coarse nature.

• “Do you know, Jehan, that there are three and twenty sous parisis! whom have you plundered tonight, in the Street Cut-Weazand?”

  Phoebus counts the coins and jokingly asks Jehan whom he robbed to get so much money.

  The stolen purse becomes a symbol of Jehan's cunning and the brothers' strained relationship.

• “Thunder! Let us hasten our steps. I'm afraid lest the Bohemian should see me. The little girl with the goat. La Smeralda? That's it, Jehan. I always forget her devil of a name. Let us make haste, she will recognize me. I don't want to have that girl accost me in the street.”

  Phoebus urges Jehan to walk faster because he fears being spotted by the Bohemian dancer with the goat, La Esmeralda, and wants to avoid her approaching him in public.

  Phoebus's desire to avoid Esmeralda contrasts with his later boast about a secret meeting, hinting at his duplicity.