Romeo and Juliet Glossary the weaker vessels (1.1)
True; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels,
are ever thrust to the wall. (14-15)
the weaker vessels, women; a term taken from the Bible, i. Peter, iii.7, "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel."
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Ed. K. Deighton. New York: MacMillan and Co., 1903. Shakespeare Online. 20 Aug. 2010. (date when you accessed the information) < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/romeoandjuliet/romeoglossvessels.html >.