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Judge Frollo Hat Sewing Pattern

  • Writer: Rin Richardson
    Rin Richardson
  • Nov 7, 2021
  • 4 min read

Updated: Jul 31

I sewed the malevolent magistrate's hat. Download the sewing pattern and illustrated guide below.




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About Judge Claude Frollo


Judge Claude Frollo is the primary antagonist in Disney’s 1996 animated film The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which is inspired by Victor Hugo’s classic novel. In this adaptation, Frollo serves as a powerful and complex figure whose role as a judge in fifteenth-century Paris places him in a position of great authority. He is responsible for enforcing the law, yet his personal beliefs and inner conflicts reveal a character who struggles with pride, control, and an intense fear of moral corruption.


From the beginning of the film, Frollo is depicted as a man of strict principles and rigid values. He sees himself as a moral guardian, convinced that he alone upholds justice and purity in a city he believes to be filled with sin. This sense of righteousness, however, is shaped by his personal biases and a refusal to acknowledge his own flaws. His actions are driven by a belief that he must cleanse the world of anything he sees as impure or outside the moral code he adheres to, and this sets the stage for the film’s central conflict.


Frollo’s relationship with Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame, is a critical aspect of his character. After pursuing a woman who was trying to protect her infant child, Frollo causes her death and attempts to dispose of the baby. However, he is stopped by the Archdeacon of Notre Dame, who insists that the child be cared for. To atone for his actions, Frollo reluctantly agrees to raise the boy but does so with cruelty and emotional manipulation. He hides Quasimodo in the bell tower of the cathedral and instills in him a deep fear of the outside world.


Throughout the film, Frollo refers to Quasimodo as a monster and insists that the world will reject him. This psychological control allows Frollo to maintain authority over Quasimodo, but it also reveals his inability to understand or nurture the boy. Frollo claims that he is protecting him, but in reality, he is using guilt and fear to keep him isolated and dependent. This dynamic serves as a reflection of Frollo’s broader desire to control those around him and eliminate what he does not understand.



Frollo’s character becomes even more complicated with the introduction of Esmeralda, a free-spirited and independent young woman who challenges his authority. She captivates him with her beauty and spirit, which leads to an intense internal struggle. Frollo becomes obsessed with her, torn between his desire for her and his belief that she represents sin and temptation. This inner conflict is portrayed in the song “Hellfire,” in which he pleads for divine intervention to save him from what he views as his sinful thoughts while blaming her for causing them.


“Hellfire” is one of the most emotionally intense moments in the film. In it, Frollo expresses shame, lust, fear, and anger, all at once. He views his feelings as a test of his faith and morality, rather than as a part of his own human experience. This denial of personal responsibility fuels his actions as he vows to either possess Esmeralda or destroy her. The song underscores his descent into obsession and the lengths to which he will go to maintain control over his environment.


Frollo’s use of power is another key theme in the story. As a judge, he commands the city guard and uses his influence to conduct raids, imprison people without trial, and interrogate those he believes are aiding his enemies. He interprets the law in a way that suits his personal agenda, often blurring the line between justice and persecution. His authority is not questioned by most characters in the film, which allows him to act without restraint. However, this unchecked power ultimately contributes to his downfall.


Captain Phoebus, originally loyal to Frollo, begins to question his actions after witnessing the cruelty inflicted on innocent people. When Phoebus chooses to defy Frollo, it marks the beginning of Frollo’s loss of control. As resistance to his methods grows, Frollo becomes more desperate, eventually resorting to arson and threats in his pursuit of Esmeralda. His increasing instability is highlighted in his confrontations with Quasimodo, who finally breaks free from Frollo’s influence to protect those he cares about.


In the final act of the film, Frollo storms Notre Dame to capture Esmeralda and punish those who defy him. He is willing to destroy the cathedral and those within it to achieve his goals. His final confrontation with Quasimodo at the top of the cathedral is a culmination of his arrogance and obsession. In his last moments, Frollo attempts to strike down both Esmeralda and Quasimodo, proclaiming divine judgment as his justification. However, the gargoyle beneath him crumbles, and he falls into the fire below, symbolizing the collapse of his delusions and the consequences of his actions.


Judge Claude Frollo stands out in the Disney canon for his depth and complexity. Unlike more straightforward villains who seek power or wealth, Frollo is driven by ideology and internal conflict. He believes himself to be virtuous and righteous, even as his actions grow more extreme. His character serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-righteousness, unchecked authority, and the refusal to acknowledge one’s own moral shortcomings.


Through powerful storytelling, striking visuals, and haunting musical themes, Frollo is presented as a figure who is both feared and tragic. His presence in The Hunchback of Notre Dame adds emotional weight and thematic richness to the film, elevating it beyond a traditional animated story and into a thoughtful exploration of morality, control, and redemption.


*ChatGPT helped write this post.



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