In Shakespeare's Macbeth, site specific examples from Act One and Act Two, scene one, that reflect Banquo's true character (as a man).

In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Banquo is a
href="http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/lit_term.html">foil
to Macbeth: another character that when compared with Macbeth, helps the audience to
better understand our tragic hero.

In Act One, scene two,
reports have been delivered to Duncan, the King of Scotland, of the valiant efforts of
both men. When we finally meet Macbeth and Banquo, they are returning from battle and
meet the Weird Sisters. They prophesy to Macbeth (who is transfixed by what they
say).

Banquo comments on Macbeth's reaction, surprised that
his friend seems fearful. We can infer that Banquo does not take the women's words
seriously, as he jokes with Macbeth about the pleasant nature of a prediction that says
he will be a king—never imagining that Macbeth would ever really be
in that position. Banquo's response appears to be much like someone would react to
having his fortune told at a carnival.

Banquo, after
hearing the witches' predictions for Macbeth, asks—with mere curiosity—what the
creatures have to tell him, reminding them that
he is not begging to know what they have to say and is not afraid
that they might curse him: basically telling them that he doesn't believe that they have
any real power. (This shows that he is immune to whatever they will share with him,
unlike Macbeth.)

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BANQUO:

...My
noble partner

You greet with present grace and great
prediction

Of noble having and of royal hope…To me you
speak not.

If you can look into the seeds of
time,

And say which grain will grow and which will
not,

Speak then to me, who neither beg nor
fear

Your favors nor your hate.
(I.iii.58-64)

The witches, of
course, provide Banquo with a prophecy: though lesser than Macbeth, he is greater and
happier (paradoxes). And then they tell Banquo that he will father a line of kings.
Whereas they prophesy to lure Macbeth to his doom, we can infer they know that Banquo is
a good man who cannot be "turned," and the witches tell him the simple
truth.

When Ross arrives and proves the witches' prediction
regarding Macbeth's new title of Thane of Cawdor is accurate, Banquo is amazed that
anything true can come of evil, a statement that defines for the audience the kind of
man Banquo is.

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BANQUO:

What,
can the devil speak true?
(113)

Banquo also shows the
audience that he is wise—the witches cannot be
trusted:

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BANQUO:

…
But ’tis strange;

And oftentimes, to win us to our
harm,

The instruments of darkness tell us
truths,

Win us with honest trifles, to
betray's

In deepest consequence—
(132-136)

In scene four, we
hear Banquo's words to Duncan as the King praises Banquo and Macbeth. For Banquo, his
King, his country and his honor are most important, and he tells the King that whatever
he has or does is what he owes
Duncan.

Our final impression of the kind of man Banquo is,
comes to us in Act Two, scene one. Here Macbeth approaches his friend to ask Banquo if
he will support Macbeth "when the time comes." Banquo's response is that he
will, but only if it does
not compromise his ethics.

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BANQUO:

So
I lose none

In seeking to augment it, but still
keep

My bosom franchised and allegiance
clear,

I shall be counsell'd.
(33-36)

It is here that
Banquo seals his doom. For he is the only one who has heard the witches' predictions for
Macbeth, and he has now told Macbeth that he is a man of conscience who will not be
swayed from what he believes to be right. Macbeth will not allow his friend to live and
spoil Macbeth's chances to be King.