Who are the three characters in the Folklore love triangle involving Taylor Swift's “august”?

The three characters in the Folklore love triangle involving “august” are Augustine, James, and Betty. “August” presents the story from the viewpoint of the unnamed girl Swift imagined as Augustine, while “Cardigan” and “Betty” provide the other perspectives.

James is a 17-year-old boy who has a relationship with Betty but becomes involved in a brief summer romance with Augustine. After the summer ends, James returns to Betty, leaving Augustine to recognize that the romance was never truly hers to keep. The three-song structure turns one relationship into a narrative told from different viewpoints.

Swift did not give the “august” narrator a formal name in the lyrics. She said she thought of the character as Augusta or Augustine in her head, which is why both forms may appear in fan discussions. The song is therefore best described as Augustine’s perspective, even though “August” itself is also the song’s title and seasonal motif.