Macbeth and Banquo are two main characters in Shakespeare's great tragedy, Macbeth, who are good friends placed in the same situation but deal with it differently. This caused one friend to ultimately kill the other. Clearly it is evident Banquo is a foil to Macbeth by their different actions towards the witches prophesies.

In Act I, both Banquo and Macbeth encounter the witches prophesies at the same time and both received a positive prophesy for their future. "All hail Macbeth! Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter.", cried the witches to Macbeth and then added, "Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. Not so happy, yet much happier." Right after Macbeth and Banquo heard this Ross and Angus came and told Macbeth the good news that Kind Duncan has declared him Thane of Cawdor. Both Macbeth and Banquo can no believe the prophesy actually came true...