Silmarillion - Chapter 18 - Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin

[Nolwë_Namiel]

Fingolfin wasn't the only Elf-Lord to die directly by Morgoth's hand. He was the second Elf-Lord to die in such manner. The first, killed in Valinor, was his father Finwë whom Morgoth slew outside the doors of Formenos.

I suspect the reason that most readers are drawn to Fingolfin's death has as much to do with the prose itself, as the act. Regardless of whether or not you are a Silmarillion fan, the description of Fingolfin's wrath and battle, is beautifully and compellingly written. Also, unlike his father before him, he chose to fight Morgoth. It was a willful act of heroism, some may say stupidity, not a "murder".

Did the murder of his father spur him on? I suspect as much as the devastating events that saw the death of so many Noldor.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Nolwë_Namiel

Also, unlike his father before him, he chose to fight Morgoth. It was a willful act of heroism, some may say stupidity, not a "murder".

Good point there.

Did the murder of his father spur him on? I suspect as much as the devastating events that saw the death of so many Noldor.

Possibly. Mybe it was every devastating event that happened in his life, magnified under his despair. Or maybe the memmory of the Doom of Mandos, and the consequences of not following Finarfin. It's the thought that nothing could save te Noldor. I don't want to say that he payed to much heed to the Doom, but I don't know how to word it properly.

The book descrides him as "fey", and he probably looked so, and probably was so (I mean, no sane person would challenge Morgoth to a combat). But on the other hand, he's as sane as ever, evn if desparate and despairing. Interesting. I'll think about that in my spare time.