These epic poems are written in a narrative style, using elements of Icelandic literature and folklore.
A rímur verse is made up of trochaic lines which use literary techniques such as rhyme and alliteration.
Rímur, especially the short four-line metres form "ferskeytla", is still very popular today in Iceland in most social groups.
It is common to put together a ríma (setja saman stöku) about current events usually in the form of a joke or ridicule.
It is also common during parties that a guest may say a ríma that they have learned or composed as a form of a joke, often an insult.
Many members of parliament pride themselves on being good at composing rímur and using them to ridicule each other, or opposing parties, in a friendly manner.