Final answer:
The French royalty and clergy lived in luxury, while the peasants faced severe poverty, heavy taxes, and bread shortages. Marie Antoinette's lavish lifestyle was in stark contrast to the hardships endured by the poor, contributing to the social unrest that led to the French Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing the condition of the French royalty and clergy to those of the peasants, we see a stark contrast in living standards prior to the French Revolution. The French royalty, including figures like Marie Antoinette, lived a life of opulence and luxury, largely insulated from the hardships faced by the common people. Clergy members also enjoyed a comfortable life, free from many of the financial burdens that plagued the lower classes.
Marie Antoinette, known for her extravagant lifestyle, exemplified the excesses of the monarchy. In stark contrast, the French peasantry faced severe poverty and were burdened with heavy taxes. At the time, France was grappling with bread shortages and economic hardship, which hit the peasant class particularly hard. This disparity in living conditions contributed to the immense social tension and unrest that ultimately ignited the French Revolution.
Specifically addressing the bread shortages, the peasants often faced starvation and struggled to meet basic needs, while the monarchy, including Marie Antoinette, remained largely unaffected by this crisis, further illustrating the deep social divide.