If Lord Capulet has already planned a party and not yet
invited Paris to it until he sees him, this invitation most probably is given as an
afterthought. Capulet probably feels awkward in this situation, realizing his social
faux pas of not having invited some one of the prestige that Paris
possesses and his being held in a bad light after the street altercation. That he has
not wished to have Paris at the party for Juliet is evidenced in Lord Capulet's dilatory
invitation and in his protestations to Paris's request that he be permitted to marry
Juliet despite his politic remarks,
My will to her consent is but a
part;
An she agree, within her scope of
choice
Lies my consent and fair according voice.
(1.2.17-19)
Certainly, it is
apparent that Capulet is fauning because he cautions Tybalt against doing anything after
having espied Romeo, their mortal enemy:
He shall be
endured.
What, goodman boy I say he sahll Go
to,
Am I the master here or you? Go
to.
You'll make a mutiny among my guests!
(1.5.80-83)
Most
likely, Capulet has not invited Paris before the evening of the party because he does
not want Juliet to fall in love with him and marry Paris. Later in the play, Lord
Capulet succumbs to the pressure of Paris and he also seeks a way to cure Juliet of her
depression after Tybalt has been slain so, despite his better judgment, he agrees to
have Elizabeth marry.
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