Sure. I was actually thinking about them a little more. :) And to preface, I decided that fem!Frollo—or I guess in this case, Claudia Frollo—would be a woman disguised as a man so she can keep her job as the judge. Also, I just think it would be more interesting that way with the whole “women are inherently sinful” mindset in 15th century Europe causing some internalized misogyny. And her job as a judge being one of the only sources of power/authority she’s ever possessed as a woman—who I think probably had a very rough early life—driving that need for self preservation too through her, uh, “acts of holiness.”

I do think a lot of elements would stay the same: it’s largely one-sided, and Esmeralda still hates her for persecuting her people. And the ending… there’s no changing that. BUT I do think that while Esmeralda absolutely loathes her, she does feel somewhat sympathetic for Frollo. In a way, Frollo’s homosexuality does make her an outcast in “the eyes of God” according to the church (referencing Esmeralda’s song “God Help The Outcasts” here), similar to Esmeralda and her people. I think bi or lesbian Esmeralda here would be good too so the sympathy really hits harder. I’m assuming the Romani people back then weren’t that accepting of homosexuality either… I mean who was at the time? Esmeralda still loves her people, regardless of their views, further emphasizing how selfless she really is. On the other hand, this twisted connection/empathy she feels to Frollo is something she abhors… but also something that makes her feel a tad less alone. But because of who Frollo is, it just makes the situation even more tragic, hence… it was always gonna be one-sided.

(Also if you’re wondering how Esmeralda figures out Frollo is a woman… I was sort of thinking about that scene in the church when Frollo comes up behind her, holds her tightly, and smells her hair. She presses herself against Esmeralda a little too hard on accident and… yeah LMAO. I headcanon a flat af chest for fem!Frollo, and those big robes she wears makes it impossible for anyone to see anything, but in this case, she’s not flat enough for Esmeralda to not notice.)

Anyway, I think fem!Frollo, while morally reprehensible just like canon Frollo, becomes a lot more of a tragic antagonist as a woman. I do have a few fic scenes in mind, some dark and rated. 😅 I hope I can get to this someday because their dynamic is so fascinating and largely unexplored. I’ve always been a secret nerd for 15-16th century Europe stuff, so the setting is right up my alley too. Don’t think 13 year old me was ready to tackle this complex of a dynamic. And tbh, I’m still intimated by it because I want to do it justice, so when I’m ready… I’ll do it.