14. Esmeralda On Trial

ESMERALDA ON TRIAL
TRIAL 3 - ESMERALDA & HER TORTURE
The judges enter and call the court to order. The proceedings are quick, highlighted by Claude's accusation of Gypsy evils and witchery, using the goat as evidence of spellbinding. Esmeralda is taken to the the rack and tortured into a confession. She has given up anyway because of Phoebus's death, never having discovered his faithlessness.
DUNGEON (CLAUDE REFUSED 1)
This long choral accompanies Esmeralda's despair alone in the dungeon. Claude enters to tell her he will save her if she will be with him, but she refuses. He leaves her to her death.
STREET (PEOPLE) CHASE/PILLORY
Soldiers enter and lead Es. into the cart for her procession to the gallows. She is impassive as the street people dance joyously around her.
PENANCE (CLAUDE REFUSED 2)
Before her death she is entitled to a church confession since she has given a secular one. The pillory stops before the Notre Dame and Claude comes out to receive her. She kneels before him and he once again quietly asks for her heart in return for her physical salvation. Again she refuses.
Claude finishes the confession and exits.