Is the caged beast in Qfg 2 supposed to be a representation of Glatisant the Questing Beast of Arthurian legend? Was this obvious to everyone but me who only read "The Once and Future King" a few years ago?

I've never read that book so I wouldn't know, either.

I am super impressed that you caught that. I first encountered the beast in Malory's Morte d'Arthur, but I would have to say it would be a really odd coincidence if the Coles didn't have White in mind. (Not coincidentally, my love of medieval literature can directly be linked to my history of playing QFG.) I didn't much care for White's rendition, Malory is better, the Vulgate Cycle is better yet, Gawain author best of all.