frollo prepares to burn esmeralda at the stake after she rejects him, but she is saved by quasimodo and is brought into the cathedral. phoebus releases himself and the gypsies, and unites the citizens of paris while opposing frollo and the guards. quasimodo and the gargoyles pour molten lead into the streets to prevent everyone from entering the cathedral. frollo sneaks inside, and pursues quasimodo and esmeralda onto the balcony, where he reveals to quasimodo that he killed his mother. frollo falls to his death into the lake of molten copper, while phoebus saves quasimodo. esmeralda and phoebus receive a blessing for their relationship, and quasimodo is accepted into parisian society.