Sat, 02 May 2026 21:15:18 +0000

Can Claude Frollo Be Called the Greatest Villain You’ve Ever Read About? When it comes to iconic literary villains, few characters resonate with the complexity and chilling depth as Claude Frollo from Victor Hugo’s masterpiece The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. From the moment he steps onto the page, Frollo embodies the dark interplay of obsession, guilt, and moral decay—making him a powerful contender for “the greatest villain” in world literature. ### Who Is Claude Frollo? Claude Frollo is not just a simple antagonist; he is a deeply flawed, tormented soul whose internal struggle fuels his descent into villainy. As the Archdeacon of Notre-Dame, Frollo is a man of Harvard-educated intellect, unmatched devotion to justice, and rigid religious principles—yet these very qualities fuel his self-destruction. His obsession with his niece, Esmeralda, blurs the lines between spiritual duty, forbidden desire, and monstrous fanaticism.