was were

In front were a monkey and a bear.

"Were" is the more strictly grammatically word, but from a stylistic point of view "was" is better. "Were" makes it sound too much like a grammar workbook exercise. "Was" is more interesting. This emphasizes the monkey over the bear, which is fitting, given that it is the higher animal. This is like saying, "In front was a monkey, and, oh yes, there was a bear there too, off to the side a ways

Anonymous from a stylistic point of view "was" is better. "Were" makes it sound too much like a grammar workbook exercise

A strange idea.

AnonymousThis emphasizes the monkey over the bear, which is fitting, given that it is the higher animal

Weird. Both from a zoological and grammatical point of view.