How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
In his estimation there was nothing like a criminal trial for dispelling melancholy; the judges were in general so amazingly stupid. (VIII.I.7)
We can't say we've ever attended a trial to lift up our spirits, unless you count all those Law and Order marathons. The point here is that the justice system is being likened to a comedy. It's entertainment. People get a total kick out of seeing other people punished, and the justice system makes all of that possible. Um, let's just say that this is not a very positive review of the justice system.
Quote #5
A counselor observed that the judges must be fatigued, and that they would be detained a long time if they waited for the conclusion of the torture; to which the head judge replied that a magistrate ought to have learned to sacrifice personal convenience to his duty. (VIII.I.71)
Remember what we were saying earlier about the misuse of the word justice? Now it's the word "duty" that's being misused. It's quite noble of the judge to delay his dinner so that Esmeralda can be properly tortured, right? The key word here is irony. At least his intentions are good?
Quote #6
Tongs, pincers, broad plowshares lay scattered, heating up in the fire of the furnace. Its bloodred light illuminated nothing but an assemblage of horrible objects. This hell was merely called the Chamber of the Question. (VIII.II.1)
The Chamber of the Question is an understated name if there ever was one. It suggests something benign and reasonable, but as we can see, it is anything but. It's also ominous, because it's the Chamber of the Question, as opposed to "Questions."In other words, they really just care about one thing: Will you confess?