The Works of Henry Fielding, vol. 12

"The Works of Henry Fielding, vol. 12" by Henry Fielding is a collection of theatrical works and miscellaneous writings created in the early 18th century. This volume contains various pieces, including the farce "The Author's Farce," which humorously critiques the theatrical profession of the time through the interactions of literary figures, and "The Tragedy of Tragedies; or, The Life and Death of Tom Thumb the Great," which parodies the conventions of tragedy as well as societal and artistic pretensions. The narrative is propelled by characters such as Luckless, a struggling playwright, and his romantic interest, Harriot, as they navigate financial difficulties and a chaotic world of performance. The opening of the collection presents a lively introduction to "The Author's Farce," establishing the setting in Mrs. Moneywood's house, where the protagonist Luckless finds himself in a humorous confrontation with his landlady regarding his inability to pay rent while also revealing his aspirations of writing a successful play. The witty exchanges highlight Luckless’s precarious situation compounded by his financial woes, as well as the comedic dynamics between him and his landlady. As the plot develops, Luckless's interactions with both Mrs. Moneywood and his fellow writers reveal the absurdities of the theatrical world and the hardships faced by artists. This amusing start sets the tone for the ensuing farce and introduces the reader to Fielding’s incisive commentary on societal norms and artistic ambitions. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Henry Fielding was an English writer and magistrate known for the use of humour and satire in his works. His 1749 comic novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling was a seminal work in the genre. Along with Samuel Richardson, Fielding is seen as the founder of the traditional English novel. He also played an important role in the history of law enforcement in the United Kingdom, using his authority as a magistrate to found the Bow Street Runners, London's first professional police force.