The Hunchback of Notre Dame Quotes

Context

This line is from the film The Hunchback of Notre Dame, directed by William Dieterle (1939).

No, you did not forget about a month that comes between January and February. A sanctuary, in the usual sense, is just a place where someone can seek refuge. Often it's in reference to a holy place of some kind, but doesn't have to be. And while this line does relate to the cathedral of Notre Dame, it's more specifically about a law they used to have back in the old days in France, where you couldn't arrest somebody if they were in such a holy place. It's kinda like someone dashing across the Mexican border to avoid arrest in the states. Usually it doesn't work out that well in the long run, but… well, best of luck to them.

In the film version of Victor Hugo's classic novel, Esmerelda—a gypsy woman who is the apple of Quasimodo's eye—is sentenced to die for the perceived attempted murder of a Captain of the Guard. At the last second, our boy Quasi swoops in, grabs her and carries her off to Notre Dame, where he cries "Sanctuary!," putting a stop to the pursuit.

You may have noticed that the word sounds like "sanctity," another uber-popular religious word. It also sounds a little like "secretary," too, but that's just a coincidence.

Where you've heard it

Since it's only a one-word line, it's sometimes tough to tell when someone is referencing the line or just… using the word.

Once in a while though, it's clear where the inspiration comes from. Like with this article about the NFL or with the name of this restaurant.

Don't try going to that restaurant though—it's closed. You'll have to find refuge somewhere else. How ironic.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Though no one could accuse poor, sweet Quasimodo of being pretentious, that's not necessarily the case if someone else decides to quote a classic French novel.