Both Uses of
earnest
in
King Lear
- Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter?†
Scene 1.2 *earnestly = sincerely or seriously
- Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee: there's earnest of thy service.†
Scene 1.4earnest = sincere or serious
Definitions:
-
(1)
(earnest) characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious or determined -
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Earnest can also be used as a name (variant spelling of Ernest), or to signify the seriousness of a pledge made (as when earnest money is included with an offer to purchase a home).