Morgoth and Doriath

[Rikae]

Originally Posted by Rune Son of Bjarne

Yes he could, but that has absolutely nothing to do with the Silmarils. . .he was clearly more powerful than Melain and therefor she would have been able to hinter him.

Then the question remains - why didn't he?

Originally Posted by Rune Son of Bjarne

I have never said that that you get more powerful by getting a Silmaril. . .you are making this up.

I never said you said that.
Raynor said:

I don't see how the text implies that the power of the silmaril alone would not have sufficed.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

very simple because Morgoth alone of the valar knew fear! He might have been mighty but Fingolfin alone wounded him, he would not have been able to take Doriath unharmed.

about Rainor's quote: Well, it does not say that the silmaril transfers the power to the holder. . .as I see it Carcharoth was an instrument used for bringing the silmaril to Doriath (and some other stuff). The reason Carcharoth can enter is not that he has become more powerful than Melian, but because the Faith of the Silmaril is greater than her enchantment.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

The best that Hurin achieved inside the girdle, in accordance with what Morgoth planned, was to insult the king. But even that failed rather miserably, since the king restrained himself and Melian freed Hurin.

But that 'version' of events was Christopher's invention; in any event the doubly-cursed Treasure of Nargothrond is what precipitates the strife with the Dwarves.

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hickli

But that 'version' of events was Christopher's invention

It wasn't necessarily an invention, since there is a variant of the story where Hurin takes the necklace, casts it before the king and reproaches him.

in any event the doubly-cursed Treasure of Nargothrond is what precipitates the strife with the Dwarves.

I am not aware that Morgoth cursed the Nauglamir. Anyway, I believe you are now arguing along my line of reasoning. A curse is a seed of evil which develops rather independently, and is different from saying that this chain of events was planned by Morgoth.

[Rikae]

Originally Posted by Rune Son of Bjarne

very simple because Morgoth alone of the valar knew fear! He might have been mighty but Fingolfin alone wounded him, he would not have been able to take Doriath unharmed.

Yes; it also occurs to me: doesn't Tolkien quite rarely make the outcome of the opposition of two beings depend on raw power? He seems more interested in scenarios where the apparently 'weaker' character wins through stealth, wisdom, luck, courage etc.
Not, of course, that Melian "won", but Doriath was successfully protected until she ceased to do so; and I agree with your post above - Morgoth wouldn't have ignored Doriath simply because it was no threat to him.
I also had the impression Doriath was the target he intended to use Hurin against; though the ultimate course of events would not have been one he foresaw, that doesn't change his intent; and the fact that he would have to use such elaborate methods speaks in favor of Melian being very powerful indeed.