Rökvísu

Rökvísu is a term used in discussions of Nordic medieval poetry to denote a small, debated category of verse forms found in Icelandic manuscripts. The word combines rökr- “reason, argument” with vísu “verse,” and is commonly interpreted as “verse of argument” or “reasoned verse.” There is no single, universally accepted definition of rökvísu, and its precise scope varies among scholars.

Definition and scope can be unclear. In some treatments, rökvísu refers to short stanzas or couplets used in rhetorical exchanges within poetic sequences, often in a disputational or dialogic context. In others, the term is used more narrowly to designate a metrical or stylistic subset of medieval Icelandic vísur that emphasizes conciseness, symmetry, or a particular rhyme or rhyme-like pattern. The label is sometimes seen as a scholarly designation rather than a clearly defined poetic form.

Form and features are described, when attested, as primarily stanzaic and sometimes rhymed, with a focus on clarity and argumentative content. The meters, where they are recorded, show influences from the broader skaldic tradition and may employ alliteration and compact line structures rather than the freer Eddic metre. Because evidence is limited and definitions vary, rökvísu is not treated as a distinct, widely attested category in standard metrical classifications.

Historical context: Rökvísu is not a major, well-defined form in established classifications such as fornyrðislag, dróttkvætt, or rímvísur. The term appears in a limited number of medieval and modern studies and is often considered a scholarly label rather than a universally recognized form.

See also: Icelandic poetry, Old Norse metre, fornyrðislag, dróttkvætt, rímvísur, kvæði.