This question is based on William Shakespeare's Othello. The first character in the play to refer to Othello by name is

Analyze the question: We need to find who first says the name "Othello" in the play. This is a tricky detail, because Othello is often called "the Moor" in the opening scenes.

Recall the opening of Act 1, Scene 1:

• Iago and Roderigo begin the play in conversation. Iago complains about being passed over for promotion, and refers to the general as "him," "his Moorship," "the Moor," and "the Moor" repeatedly, but never by name.
• Roderigo and Iago then wake Brabantio, again describing Othello as "the Moor," "an old black ram," "the thick-lips," and so on.
• In Act 1, Scene 2, Iago speaks to Othello directly, and Othello is addressed and referred to on stage. Cassio and others come in, still using titles such as "general."
• In Act 1, Scene 3, the Duke says: "Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you against the general enemy Ottoman." This is the first time the name "Othello" is clearly spoken in the play.

(Note: in the text, the speech prefix "Othello" appears from Act 1, Scene 2, but that is a stage label, not a character speaking the name.)

Checking the options:

• A. Brabantio: he says "the Moor" and does not name him until later in 1.3 (after the Duke).
• B. Desdemona: she speaks later in 1.3, after the Duke.
• C. The Duke: he says "Valiant Othello" at the start of 1.3. This is the first spoken use of the name.
• D. Iago: he is careful to say "the Moor" and avoids the name in the opening scenes.

Answer: C. the Duke

Tip: In Othello, remember that the name is held back for a while. In Act 1, Scenes 1 and 2, he is only "the Moor" or "the general." The first person to say "Othello" aloud is the Duke in 1.3. For questions on "first mention," trace the order of scenes carefully.