Final answer:
Life in the Middle Ages differed from today in terms of the feudal system of governance and the challenging daily lives of people, including short life expectancies and a lack of modern amenities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Life in the Middle Ages was markedly different from life today in multiple aspects, two of which are sociopolitical structures and daily living conditions. Firstly, the Middle Ages saw the prevalence of feudalism, a hierarchical system where people were bound by a sense of duty and service to their overlords, in contrast to today's democratic and social welfare principles. The average person lived under the authority of a local lord, providing labor or military service in exchange for protection and the right to cultivate land, a far cry from the relatively free and mobile society we have now.
Secondly, the daily lives of people were beset by hardship. Most lived in simple homes and worked continuously to fulfill the duties owed to their lords. Basic amenities such as sanitation and medicine were lacking, leading to high mortality rates, with many succumbing to diseases before the age of forty-five. Today, advancements in healthcare and technology have vastly improved living standards.
Indoor plumbing, vaccinations, and efficient medicine are common, contributing to longer lifespans and better quality of life. These two contrasting aspects of feudal Europe and modern life highlight the significant evolution society has undergone over the centuries.