 Tom Thumb , Fielding 's sixth play , was added to the ninth showing of The Author 's Farce , 24 April 1730 . Together , the shows lasted at the Haymarket until they were replaced by Fielding 's next production , Rape upon Rape . Tom Thumb was later included with other productions , including Rape upon Rape , and later transformed into the Tragedy of Tragedies . In the print edition , Fielding added footnotes , prefaces , and prologues , which introduced the narratorial style found in Fielding 's later works . The plot deals with the English hero , Tom Thumb , who is of only tiny proportions . After defeating a group of giants , Tom Thumb is handsomely rewarded by King Arthur , which later erupts in a comical love triangle between Tom , Arthur 's wife Queen <unk> , and Princess <unk> . Tom is eventually swallowed by a cow and killed . Soon after , his ghost appears but meets an untimely death . This scene reportedly provoked Jonathan Swift to laughter , a rare feat . The farcical nature of Tom Thumb pokes fun at 17th and 18th @-@ century tragedy , gender roles and gender politics . 
