Final answer:
In her poem, Maria's reference to Shakespeare's "Othello" is known as an allusion, which is a brief indirect reference to another work, person, or event.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Maria refers to the well-known play, Shakespeare's "Othello," in her poem, this is called a(n) allusion. An allusion is an indirect reference to another work of literature, person, event, or piece of culture. It usually involves a brief and indirect reference to the reference point without detailing the specifics. For instance, referring to someone as a "Romeo" alludes to Shakespeare's prototype of a lover based on his character in "Romeo and Juliet" without mentioning the play itself outright.