Banquo: Banquo, a general in King Duncan's army, is with Macbeth when he encounters the Weird Sisters for the first time in 1.3. The Weird Sisters predict that Banquo will father future kings of Scotland and this is the cause of his murder in 3.3. He returns as a ghost to haunt Macbeth in 3.4., which contributes to Macbeth's mental decay.
Extended Profile: Shakespeare's Banquo is the antithesis of Macbeth – his pure, moral character foil. Banquo has no 'vaulting ambition' and thus can easily escape the trap of the Witches' prophesies. Wise and steadfast, Banquo warns Macbeth:
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. (1.3.132)
Banquo ultimately falls victim to Macbeth, but his son, Fleance, escapes.
