I just noticed that Feanor was never really exceptionally brave (but not a coward either). Simply reckless. Who else would call Melkor "jail-crow of Mandos" and slam the door in his face? Feanor treated Melkor as his inferior not-on-purpose! To compare this: Hurin defied Morgoth proudly, and Feanor treated him to a get-out-of-my-place-or-else sort of thing.
But with his recklesness/greediness/stubbourness/whatever Feanor moved history. He basically started everything and let others carry it on. You can argue that Eru started and Valar continued, but they got people like Ingwe from their actions. Feanor's actions brought history into motion, not just counting days sitting in Manwe's lap.
Feaor ade people
do things, created a
reason for them to. What's the greatest thing that the Elves did that the Valar 'caused them' to do? The Great Journey. The continuation of Feanor's actions reach into the 3rd/4th age. When talking about roles in a story, Feanor's is more important than Eru's.
