Esmeralda is a fictional character from Victor Hugo's novel, "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame," published in 1831. She is a beautiful Romani woman known for her kind heart and captivating dance. Esmeralda's character represents themes of love, compassion, and social injustice, as she faces prejudice and persecution in 15th-century Paris. In the story, Esmeralda becomes the object of affection for several characters, including Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of Notre-Dame, and Frollo, a conflicted archdeacon. Her tragic fate highlights the struggles of marginalized individuals and the consequences of societal intolerance.