Final answer:
The main difference between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance is the move from a feudal society focused on hierarchy and agriculture, to a humanist approach emphasizing individual potential, secularism, and the arts, inspired by ancient Greek and Roman cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The contrast between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance is marked by significant changes in various areas including societal structure, cultural focus, and intellectual pursuits. During the Middle Ages, European society was characterized by a feudal system -- a focus on feudalism -- where power was derived from land ownership and society was organized into a hierarchy of lords, vassals, and serfs. The economy was predominantly agricultural, and intellectual life was governed by scholasticism, an approach that sought to harmonize faith with reason. In contrast, the Renaissance saw a shift to humanism, an emphasis on human potential and achievements, the rebirth of Classical knowledge, and a focus on individualism and secularism. This period experienced a flowering of arts, science, and literature, inspired by the rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman thought.
Option A) A focus on feudalism in the Middle Ages, and an emphasis on humanism in the Renaissance captures the central difference between the two periods. The Middle Ages' social and political structure revolved around feudalism while the Renaissance shifted towards humanism, celebrating human intellect and capabilities and moving away from the strictly religious interpretations of existence that had dominated the Middle Ages.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is A) A focus on feudalism in the Middle Ages, and an emphasis on humanism in the Renaissance.