What were the middle ages and the renaissance? in what way were these two eras different?

Middle Ages: the period of European history from the fall of the Roman Empire in the west (5th century) to the fall of Constantinople (1453) basically from c.1100-1453.
Events-
Battle of Hastings and Norman Conquest
The Bayeux Tapestry
Doomsday Book
Magna Carta
Hundred Years War between England and France
Black Death
Wars if the Roses and the Battle of Bosworth
The Great Schism of 1054 and Great Western Schism

Renaissance: period in European history covering between 14th and 17th centuries. Extension of Middle Ages and is bridged by the Age of Enlightenment to modern history. Characterized by a surge of interest in Classical scholarship and values. Renaissance means rebirth.
Events:
Giotto completes his work on the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua
Johannes Gutenberg invents the printing press
Ottoman Empire captures city of Constantinople ending Byzantine Empire
Henry VII becomes king of England
Christopher Columbus discovers Americas
Leonardo Da Vinci paints the Last Supper
Henry VIII becomes king of England
Start of Reformation
Ferdinand begins his voyage around the world
Elizabeth becomes Queen of England
Galileo discovers moons of Jupiter
Thirty Year War Begins

They were different because the Renaissance was a way to start fresh from all the bad that happened in the Middle Ages which were very dark and gloomy.