Final answer:
The two parts representing a division in thought within a sonnet are the octave and the sestet, where traditionally, the octave poses a question or problem and the sestet provides resolution. The point of transition is known as the volta. This is especially pertinent within the Petrarchan sonnet form.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two parts of the question that represent a division in thought are the octave and the sestet. An octave is a stanza of eight lines, which, in the context of a sonnet, traditionally introduces a problem, situation, or narrative that prompts contemplation or emotional response. Conversely, a sestet is a stanza of six lines that typically provides a resolution, counterargument, rebuttal, or synthesis of the ideas presented in the octave. The transition point between these two parts is known as the volta, where the poem typically shifts in tone, theme, or argument.
Sonnet forms often adhere to this structure, with the Petrarchan, or Italian sonnet being one of the most distinguished types. It features an octave with a rhyme scheme such as abbaabba and a sestet that could follow various rhyme patterns. The Shakespearean sonnet is slightly different, comprising an octet and a sextet but fashioned into three quatrains and a final couplet, following the rhyme scheme ABABCDCDEFEFGG.
Understanding the interplay between octave and sestet is essential for interpreting and appreciating the structural nuances in sonnets and the broader thematic development they provide.