The Albatross was shot dead for no reason by the Ancient Mariner. The bird had been hailed, loved and welcomed. So to punish the Mariner, the dead Albatross was hung around his neck as a sign of eternal damnation. Later due to problems, the bird was cursed. Basically, the sailors are fickle-minded who are hasty in punishment, though they also become party to the sin and suffer the evil consequences.
