in times like those he simply had more to loose.

i only saw this movie once and fell asleep during it

Yes, at first Phoebus is interested with Esmeralda's sexy, hot style, but he does not dare to help her clearly. After Esmeralda sees that Phoebus defends people whose houses are burnt by Frollo, she seems to love injured Phoebus more then he does to her.

I think they're pretty much equals, though.

that is wath i love about the couple, they love each other the same amount...they are equals, how it had to be in a good realtionship