Final answer:
The significance of Proctor's relationship with Abigail is that it serves as a catalyst for the Salem witch trials.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significance of Proctor's relationship with Abigail in the play 'The Crucible' is that it serves as a catalyst for the Salem witch trials. Proctor and Abigail have had an affair, and when Abigail starts accusing innocent people of being witches, Proctor knows that he must confess to his infidelity in order to discredit her. This leads to a chain of events that exposes the corruption and hysteria within the community.