What's the deal with the silmarillion?

[Manwe Sulimo]

It's probably better that you all hate Fëanor instead of some other character, because we all know what happens to him.

Here's your rough outline:

-Melkor becomes evil for no apparent reason.
-Lots of Maiar defect to Melkor's side.
-The Valar make some pretty laterns that light the world.
-Melkor destroys the Lanterns, and is pushed by the Valar Outside The World.

End Act I.

Intermission.

Act II.

-Melkor comes back. He makes a nice little hovel to live in (Utumno).
-The Valar get annoyed, and decide to leave and make a nice continent for themselves.
-Melkor runs around killing things and generally ruining Middle-earth.
-The Valar make Aman and live there.

End Act II.

Intermission.

Act III.

-The Elves awaken.
-The Valar say "Oh no, the Elves are awake!" and proceed to arrest Melkor and charge him with loitering and disturbing the peace. He is given 3-9 ages.
-The Valar then try to draw the Elves to Valinor, and only half succeed. Some (the Sindar) remain in Beleriand, the westernmost part of Middle-earth.

End Act III.

Intermission.

Act IV.

-Lots of boring stuff about each of the Elves.
-Lots of boring stuff about letting Melkor free...oh, wait.
(ah-hem)
-Melkor, after 3 ages, is let free. He proceeds to corrupt Elves left and right, which somehow the Valar don't detect.
-Fëanor and Fingolfin (sons of Finwë) get into a fight over something nobody remembers anymore. The former tries to skewer the latter and is exiled.
-Manwë holds a big party, which everyone comes to, except Melkor. Melkor kills Finwë and destroys the Two Trees (I guess I forgot about those...) with Ungolient.
-Everyone (except for Melkor) is sad.

End Act IV.

I guess I added a bit too much sarcasm in there...try to read around it, plz.