i'm not sure. Feanor is the most skilled and durable probably is refering to things other than combat skill (like jewel making)
correct me if I am wrong but I believe Feanor fought a bunch of Balrogs and was eventually overcome
Fingolfin fought Morgoth and actually wounded him a few times
I think Fingolfin's feat is more impressive
Originally posted by tulakhordpwns
i'm not sure. Feanor is the most skilled and durable probably is refering to things other than combat skill (like jewel making)correct me if I am wrong but I believe Feanor fought a bunch of Balrogs and was eventually overcome
Fingolfin fought Morgoth and actually wounded him a few timesI think Fingolfin's feat is more impressive
Yes Feanor was surrounded by Balrogs and killed in the battle of Unumbered Tears. However, IMO fighting a batallion of Balrogs and battling Morgoth one on one is pretty equal. Both died, while Fingolfin did wound Morgoth pretty extensively Im sure Feanor was able to do some damage to at least one Balrog. Also if im not mistaken Gothmog who was the high captain of Morgoths army was one of the Balrogs who killed Feanor.
feanor was indeed the mightest of the Noldor in some aspects....but....the reference to his might was more to do with his crafting ability..no one was mightier...also fingolfin was only 1/2 Noldor...his mother was Indis, who was kin to king Ingwe ( Vanyar elf) and as such was King of all the elves....Fingolfin was the greatest warrior of the elves...
cheers
Well, the reference to feanor being the mightiest comes after he cuts his way through Morgoth's forces and fights for a long time against several Balrogs (including Gothmog), so I tend to think it was talking about his fighting abilities. That is a good point about Fingolfin not being 100% Noldor, although he is referred to sometimes as the high king of the Noldor, so I think he was intended to be counted among the Noldor.
That is my interpretation at least.
Originally posted by tulakhordpwns
i'm not sure. Feanor is the most skilled and durable probably is refering to things other than combat skill (like jewel making)correct me if I am wrong but I believe Feanor fought a bunch of Balrogs and was eventually overcome
Fingolfin fought Morgoth and actually wounded him a few timesI think Fingolfin's feat is more impressive
Correct. Read the Silmarillion which states that Fingolfin was the greatest Noldor who ever lived in sheer strength.
Where Feanor was the greatest in words and handscraft among them.
It would be a great fight among them where Feanor would not be beaten that easily but its the sheer power of Fingolfin that will overthrow the fiery soul of Feanor eventually. No doubt about it.
Feanor wins. The Silmarillion says Feanor is the greatest of the elves in all parts of the body. "For Feanor was made the mightiest in all parts of body and mind: in valour, in endurance, in beauty, in understanding, in skill, in strength and subtlety alike: of all the Children of Ilúvatar, and a bright flame was in him."
Beyond that battling a legion of Balrogs is more impressive. A weakened Morgoth was defeated by UNgoliant who in turn was defeated by a legion of Balrogs. Then Fingolfin battles a far weaker Morgoth, while Feanor battles the balrogs who are still at full power.
Actually, Feanor died FAR before the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. That was the battle in which Hurin was captured, so Feanor died before that. But Feanor sustained multiple wounds fighting Balrogs, AFTER he poured his spirit into the creation of the Silmarils, so he wasnt as
"fiery" as he was beforehand. Fingolfin was just an incredibly great warrior, holding off Morgoth is no moot feat, but being surrounded by Balrogs, sustaining multiple wounds, and killing a few in the process in by FAR a greater achivment. Feanor definately.
Fingolin was brave but I doubt he had the strength of Feanor. And he wounded Morgoth on his hands, he was probably quicker and was able to slash at Morgoth's hand because of that speed.
I think it's more a feat of speed and courage (daring to challange a Valar, weakened or otherwise), but not necessarily a show of power/might.
Sometimes the size of these Maiar and Valar was a detriment against quicker, smaller opponents.
Quote from the Silmarillion
Feanor was the mightiest in skill of word and of hand, more learned than his brothers; his spirit burned as a flame. Fingolfin was the strongest, the most steadfast, and the most valiant. Finarfin was the fairest, and the most wise of heart; and afterwards he was a friend of the sons of Olwe.
Yes, but Morgoth at the time was weaker than he when he was in Utumno, and Fingolfin only wounded him, while Feanor KILLED them, Fingolfin could only wound Morgoth, and, face it, he got squished ;-) Feanor got hacked ;-) or slashed ;-) while one was fighting a whole bunch of balrogs, one was fighting Morgoth. Fingolfin was only faster than Morgoth because he was smaller. Feanor stayed in one spot, AND he was wounded many times, Fingolfin just got squished ;-) I still think taking on a bunch of balrogs is more impressive than hurting Morgoth. Who was the one who stopped Ungoliant from Killing Melkor, BALROGS WOO
Originally posted by Incanus
Yes, but Morgoth at the time was weaker than he when he was in Utumno, and Fingolfin only wounded him, while Feanor KILLED them, Fingolfin could only wound Morgoth, and, face it, he got squished ;-) Feanor got hacked ;-) or slashed ;-) while one was fighting a whole bunch of balrogs, one was fighting Morgoth. Fingolfin was only faster than Morgoth because he was smaller. Feanor stayed in one spot, AND he was wounded many times, Fingolfin just got squished ;-) I still think taking on a bunch of balrogs is more impressive than hurting Morgoth. Who was the one who stopped Ungoliant from Killing Melkor, BALROGS WOO
Yeah. Like, a thousand balrogs. There is no proof that Feanor fought ALL the balrogs ALL at once.