There are of course exceptions to the rule, but for the most part I enjoy characters who embrace their humanity. It's a kind of mental strength that I think gets pushed to aside often even in real life. It's easy to attack an enemy, it's hard to forgive one.
I think the most notable character that first gave me this insight toward this character preference was Himura Kenshin. He's an ex-assassin struggling to live with the repercussions of his recent, bloody past. He vows never to kill again and strictly adheres to this rule even when it's just easier to just kill the aggressor. He uses a sword with an inverted blade so that it may be used as a strictly defensive weapon. His perseverance in his atonement to me is truly remarkable.
The Doctor from Doctor Who is another favorite of mine, who has many times offered forgiveness toward his enemies, even to his longest rival, The Master. It doesn't always pan out, but the fact that the Doctor tries reasoning with his opponents first is enough to keep me watching a +800 episode show and that must count for something.
Lestat de Lioncourt is one of my favorites, if not the favorite character from a written series. His first couple of stories are kind of whatever, but it was early on and Anne Rice has even admitted that it was a growing process for her. But these last couple of books she's come out with(Prince Lestat onward) are phenomenal takes on the character. Due to the circumstances of the previous books he is given a leadership position of sorts (not a spoiler, it's the title lol). He hates it, but he knows that he's in a rare position that he can help bring his kind into a better era, and make them less of the monstrous depictions from vampire stories. His acceptance of the role is not one of power or power-seeking, but one of love for his fellows. Even when he is pressed by his advisers to put his foot down, he instead logics through other solutions, always looking for the best outcomes for all parties. Where many of his other companions have hardened over the years, he has stayed open-minded and emotional. I honestly could probably gush about him forever, so I'll stop there. My vampires sparkle when they throw glitter on themselves.
