The Crucible The Crucible, a play written by Author Miller portrays the hysteria that happened in Salem during the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. The play is fiction, however the plot of the play is based on the Salem With Trials which did occur in history. During the play, the citizens of Salem portray very exaggerated and uncontrollable emotion as the fear of witches, witchcraft, and the Devil fill the town. Judge Danforth also displays hysteria. When John proctor and Mary Warren are trying to testify to the judge that they younger girls are lying, the judge asks John what is purpose here is. John then goes on to state that he is aiming to save his wife from death. The judge then says that he will spare Johns wife for a year if he drops his