Animated Abomination

Animated Abomination

 

“Like fire

 Hellfire

 This fire in my skin

 This burning desire

 Is turning me to sin”

 

 “Protect me, Maria

 Don't let this siren cast her spell

 Don't let her fire sear my flesh and bone

 Destroy Esmeralda

 And let her taste the fires of Hell

 Or else let her be mine and mine alone”

 

“Hellfire

 Dark fire

 Now gypsy, it's your turn

 Choose me or

 Your pyre

 Be mine or you will burn”

 

            Have you recognized this little poem yet? No? Well, I’ll give you a hint: It is the lyrics to a song from a famous 1996 movie. Is it a horror film? A musical? A thriller? You may be surprised to know, if you haven’t recognized these words already, this song comes from the ever popular Disney cartoon The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This song is sang by the Minister of Justice Claude Frollo. Of course, this Disney film is a remake of a classic Victor Hugo story that would still be much more grotesque than the movie you loved as a child.

In this version, a beautiful gypsy woman was carrying a bundle that was believed to be stolen goods. She ran from authorities and was pursued by Frollo whom chased her to the church where the woman tried to enter and claim sanctuary, meaning they could not arrest her within church walls. Frollo snatched the bundle from her and kicked the woman down, causing her to hit her head on the cement steps and die. Frollo realized that the bundle was only a baby, but it is horribly disfigured and he claims that it is a demon which must be killed. The Archdeacon of the church witnesses the whole thing and tells Frollo that the divine beings of Notre Dame witnessed the innocent blood he shed on the steps of the church and the only way to save his soul from eternal damnation is to raise the baby as his own. Frollo begrudgingly agrees and has the Archdeacon keep the baby in the bell tower for years. The baby is named Quasimodo. He is humpbacked and facially disfigured which is why he is forbidden from leaving the tower.

Over a course of events, Quasimodo meets a beautiful gypsy woman named Esmeralda when he leaves the bell tower. Frollo hates gypsies and believes they are witches who should be killed. Yet, despite his hatred, Frollo has a lustful obsession with Esmeralda. The song above named “Hellfire” is basically saying that Esmeralda shall be his or she will burn her alive. Now, as a child, I for one never realized the message or lyrics of the song. It wasn’t until more recently that I began to understand the dark meaning behind the song.

The entire premise of the movie is quite dark and a bit mature for children. It relies heavily on religion and has quite a few mentions of eternal damnation. Frollo kills Quasi’s mother and tries to burn a family alive after locking them inside, it speaks of lust, sin, and hell fire and labels Quasimodo as a horrible abomination. While I personally adore the movie and the friendship that develops between Esmeralda and Quasi due to their understanding of each other and being shunned by society, if you had not watched this movie growing up, it would be quite unsettling to discover that the movie is designated for children.

Not only is the story itself quite mature, it makes you question many other Disney movies. Walt Disney created so many movies that we as children grew up watching. Are there other stories and songs that we have never analyzed in depth which could be compared to “Hellfire”?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDacUZ-bEhE