[Macalaure]

Aiwendil wrote:
He at least delays a potentially violent confrontation. It's true that he doesn't solve anything, but I suspect that many in Feanor's host (and particularly the likes of Caranthir, Celegorm, and Curufin) did not want to treat with Fingolfin yet. And it wasn't Maedhros's leadership that allowed him to settle things; it was Fingon's rescue of him. I don't necessarily think that Maglor did the right thing; but I think I can understand why it might look like a good move to him.

I agree. It might just have been the best conceivable action in his situation. It's sad we don't get a closer look at how Fëanor's sons came to the decision.

I don't think that Curufin would have been manipulating Celegorm - it seems to me that Celegorm was quite comfortable letting Curufin be the brains of the operation. But, as you said, Celegorm seems to have the greater charisma and therefore is better suited to take the role of leader publicly.

I disagree. Celegorm had enough brains of his own. It was him alone who talked Maedhros into attacking Doriath. Still Curufin's counsels were, doubtless, more than useful to him.

Anguirel wrote:
But in his last battle, the Second Kinslaying, he sought out the enemy king Dior and slew him personally, though falling himself. Celegorm is not effete or lacking in warlike credentials!

I should have noted that above, but Celegorm, to me, is the most skilled in warfare among the brothers in the beginning. Without his deeds, the Dagor-nuin-Giliath could have ended badly. He's later surpassed by Maedhros after his time in and over Angband.
It's hard to compare it to Fëanor's abilities. The battle of Alqualonde gives me a quite disorganized impression (excused - they hardly had any time for maneuvers), and in the second battle he is carried away by his emotions and pays for that.

Celegorm slew Dior? The Silmarillion says "There fell Celegorm by Dior's hand...".
By the way, a brilliant scene: The two "the Fair"s fighting each other.

Celegorm is not described as leaving a wife in Valinor, I don't think, which leaves us with two options-tragic Celegorm spurned by Aredhel and Celegorm the wild bachelor-until he meets Luthien.

Yet another parallel to Maedhros. Though so different in most respects, they share a surprising lot.
But I don't see any parellels between Aredhel and Lúthien, except hair colour. Celegorm and Aredhel (absolutely platonic relationship to me, too) seem to share something. I cannot describe it. But he doesn't compensate with Lúthien. I'd say it takes the coldness of a Curufin to not fall in love with her.