In folklore, becoming an animal is universally understood as a punishment

Evidence

A sharp distinction could thus be made between humans and animals. Only the former had an awareness that punishment was attached to the violation of a moral or legal rule—including an active right—hence only humans could have natural rights. Conversely, only subjects who possessed rights could be regarded as human. — Talal Asad, Formations of the Secular, 635 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The human-animal line was drawn at awareness of punishment. — Talal Asad, Formations of the Secular:…, 635; Either divine or natural origin claims transform peoples into animal species. — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 595; Supernatural punishment belief is a naturally selected evolutionary adaptation (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Supernatural punishment belief is a naturally selected evolutionary adaptation #expands (0.85)
• The human-animal line was drawn at awareness of punishment. #expands (0.78) — Talal Asad, Formations of the Secular, 635
• Either divine or natural origin claims transform peoples into animal species. #complicates (0.75) — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 595
• Karma theology frames low-caste birth as punishment for past misdeeds #exemplifies (0.75)
• The spectacle of punishment produced substitutions and misrecognitions of identity #expands (0.72) — Michel Foucault, Discipline & Punish- The Birth of the…, 395