Silmarillion - Chapter 18 - Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nolwë_Namiel · 06-05-2011, 09:20 PM

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.

06-05-2011, 09:20 PM	#4
Nolwë_Namiel Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Beleriand - First Age Posts: 19	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.