At the very beginning of a dream there is a statement of place and the protagonist is identified. Rarely is there a statement of time. This is the Phase of Exposition where there is an initial scene of action, all of the people involved are present, and the initial situation, or problem, of the dream is revealed.

In this part of the dream tension starts to build up. The situation in the dream becomes more complicated. The plot of the dream develops and there is much uncertainty as to the outcome of the situation.

Often the situation in the dream will suddenly change, or something decisive will happen. This phase of the dream is its culmination or peripeteia.

Phase 4
This phase is not always present in dreams. It is the solution to the dream dilemma, the result, or the lysis of the dream. This final outcome of the dream is a message from the unconscious mind to the conscious. If the dreamer does not get the message, or if the conscious mind does not get involved with the dream content, the unconscious mind will keep sending up same materials until they are noticed. Dreams are repetitive in their content and message. We are given many opportunities to pay attention and to get involved on the conscious level with the materials coming up from our unconscious.