Belle

The song 'Belle' from the musical 'Notre Dame De Paris' is a powerful and emotive piece that delves into the complexities of desire, love, and obsession. The musical itself is an adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,' and the song features three central characters: Quasimodo, Frollo, and Phoebus, each expressing their infatuation with the gypsy Esmeralda.

Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell-ringer, sees Esmeralda as a figure of pure beauty, almost otherworldly. His love for her is intense and consuming, to the point where he feels as if he's on the brink of damnation. Frollo, the archdeacon, is tormented by his desire for Esmeralda, which he views as a sin that distracts him from his religious duties. His internal conflict between his vows and his lust is palpable, as he grapples with the notion that his longing for her might be the work of the devil. Phoebus, the captain of the guard, is portrayed as a womanizer who is captivated by Esmeralda's beauty and sensuality. Unlike the other two, his desire is more superficial and self-serving, as he contemplates being unfaithful to his fiancée, Fleur-de-Lys.

The song's lyrics are rich with religious and moral undertones, reflecting the characters' internal struggles with their feelings for Esmeralda. Each character's perspective is a commentary on the different facets of human desire: spiritual, forbidden, and carnal. The repeated chorus by all three men underscores the universal and overwhelming power of attraction that Esmeralda holds over them, and by extension, the human condition's susceptibility to beauty and temptation.