[Galadriel55]

Fingolfin's death is one of the most tragic scenes in The Sil, as Aiwendil said. In a way, though, it resembles the fate of all the Exiles. Fingolfin, desparate and despairing, challanged Morgoth, when deep down his comon sense probably screaed that he cannot overcome him. The same way the Noldor went to ME, even if all they would earn is songs. Just as the Noldor would begin to take the lead, something would happen, and Morgoth would win in the end; Fingolfin wounded Morgoth, but didn't have any strength left to strike the final blow, so Morgoth won. When Fingolfin died and all hope was lost, Manwe's eagles take his body away to the last stronghold of the Elves. Similarly, when the elves were reduced to almost nothing and had no hope of defeating Morgoth, the Valar and Eldar (of Valinor) help to battle Morgoth and win the War of Wrath. Then the Valar 'invite' the Elves to the place that will most likely last the longest in all of Ea.

Also, Fingolfin's last thing that he does is a desparate strike against Morgoth that wouldn't change the outcome of the duel. Not giving up, even when the defeat is obvious. However, it is that last strike that affects Morgoth the most - now he limps. The last thing you do is the most important one; whatever happens, the elves would get revenge on Morgoth - and the longer the more they had to avenge for.
Even though Fingolfin's last blow might have been physically weak, it is his strongest blow emotionally. Not only emotionally for us, but for himself as well. All his life was concentrated in this blow (like Glaurung's last glance). It was so powerful that even Morgoth felt it - and he is usually oblivious to people's desparation, he only enjoys it. Not only he felt it, but he was maimed forever because of its force.