My first impression of this story was that both Butch and Sundance shared the role of "Main Character" . . . but as I consider their individual motivations it seems to not be the case. Even though they spend pretty well the entire movie together, doing the same things, Butch is the only one we get a chance to empathize with; we see the world through his eyes.
The opening scenes of the movie show Butch confronted with the uncomfortable reality that times are changing, he watches a bank closing up for the day and takes note of their extensive security precautions.
Butch Cassidy: "What happened to the old bank? It was beautiful. "
Guard: "People kept robbing it."
It seems to me that the defining characteristic of Butch's behavior, is that he avoids confrontation at any cost. When challenged for leadership of his gang, Butch defuses the situation without killing Harvey. Butch and his gang are known for their (relatively) non-violent robberies, and are even demonstrably polite when robbing the train.
Time and again Butch has been able to solve his problems by "Avoiding" them, i.e: running away from the law, hiding out, etc. Trouble starts when a mysterious "Super Posse" begins tracking him down. This is no ordinary posse, and the message they present is loud and clear - there's no running this time.
Sheriff Ray Bledsoe: " . . . you're still nothing but two-bit outlaws on the dodge. It's over, don't you get that? Your times is over and you're gonna die bloody, and all you can do is choose where."
This time the problem is "being a robber" - His solution? as always; Avoid. Butch laments his position and longs for another life, he speculates about joining the army, leaving the country, even 'going straight' and earning an honest living.
This is where Sundance comes in - Sundance is the "Brawn" to Butch's "Brains", and would be much happier to shoot first and ask questions never. Robbing banks is what he knows, and he wants to keep doing it. He urges Butch to face the problem head on, stand and fight.
Sundance: ". . . I wanna fight 'em"
Butch: "they'll kill us!"
Sundance: "Maybe . . . "
Butch: "You wanna die?!"
Sundance: "Do you?"
Butch buys time by taking Sundance and Etta to Bolivia to hide out - but Sundance pushes to start robbing banks again. When the law begins catching up with them, Butch suggests laying low and getting honest jobs - but this backfires in an ironic twist of fate as they themselves are robbed. They confront the robbers to get the money back, in a scene that feels very much like a "point of no return" for Butch -
Butch Cassidy: "Kid, there's something I ought to tell you. I never shot anybody before."
Sundance Kid: "One hell of a time to tell me! "
This moment effectively marks Butch's final acceptance of Sundance's point of view. Butch and Sundance make their last stand as the full weight of their lives of crime finally catch up with them. Despite the dire consequences of a lifetime of robbery, the emphasis of these last moments is on Butch's personal triumph - He's overcome his inner turmoil and embraces the life he has, and his great friendship with Sundance.
Butch took this long to finally accept it, but I think his choice was foreshadowed as an inevitability much earlier on . . . after a playful romp on the bicycle with Etta, imagining a life that could have been, he tosses the bicycle aside - knowing full well that there's no chance for that life now.
Butch Cassidy: "The future's all yours, you lousy bicycle."
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