Here's what we know about Pennywise's true nature:
* An ancient evil: It predates humanity and has been around for countless years.
* A shapeshifter: It can change its form at will, usually taking on the appearance of something terrifying to its victims. The clown form is just one of many.
* Feeds on fear: Pennywise thrives on fear and despair, especially the fear of children. It uses its shapeshifting abilities to manipulate and frighten its prey.
* Connected to the Macroverse: It's hinted that Pennywise might have originated from the Macroverse, a realm beyond our understanding.
* A cosmic entity: It's described as an "It" which implies a being beyond any known classification, making it difficult to define its true nature.
However, it's important to note:
* King himself hasn't definitively explained Pennywise's true nature: The ambiguity allows for various interpretations and keeps the story intriguing.
* Different adaptations have their own interpretations: The 1990 miniseries and the 2017 movie offer their own perspectives on Pennywise's origins and abilities.
Ultimately, the most accurate answer to the question of what Pennywise really is lies in the reader's or viewer's imagination. It's a creature designed to be terrifying and unsettling, with a mysterious and ancient power that transcends definition.