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Originally Posted by Formendacil
Obviously, the Curse of the Valar was a great deal more far-reaching, seeing as it covered an entire race- and those so foolish or unlucky as to get caught in it with them, most notably the Sindar under Thingol.
On the other hand, the Doom of the Valar does not have as disasterous individual actions as that of Morgoth's Curse. In the case of the latter, Morgoth is able to dominate the lives of Turin and his kin to such an extent that NOTHING they do is successful for more than a very short while, and it is all manipulated to evil. The Doom of the Noldor, on the other hand, seems to have less immediate effects. For instance, the Noldor are successful in their first several battles with Morgoth, and have the Watchful Peace, several hundred years in which to build remarkable, and memorable, kingdoms.
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This makes me wonder: was the delayed effect of the Doom of Mandos compared to the immediate destructiveness of the Curse of Morgoth a sign of weakness, or overstretching over an entire race lessening its immediacy? Or-rather more interestingly-was it intended as part of the punishment of the Noldor, to allow them long years of success and glory, which would haunt them for ever after the hammer-blow came; and yet hearten them enough not to lose hope entirely?
In other words, did the Valar intend that the glory of the elder days, and the founding of the great Elven cities and realms, should occur; in order to teach the Noldor humility, and yet give them in their memories a gift of proud nostalgia which would let them continue to resist Morgoth and Sauron? An odd gift-punishment; "what might have been" etched in their minds, to encourage them and taunt them and ultimately lead them home over the Sea.
On the other hand, Morgoth's Curse was built to destroy, and did so. So each, it seems to me, served their purpose...