I'll tackle the last question on Saruman's temper. This is the moment
when Saruman loses his cool and reveals a weaker, more vulnerable side.
His anger is a sign of his desperation which he has been avoiding up to this
point in order to maintain the illusion, if the not the reality, of being in
control. When all he can do is insult the House of Erol, it's clear that
he has lost the upper hand. The next attempt to appeal to Gandalf shows
that he can at least try to regain some composure and control, but in the end
he has lost and is grasping at straws
now.
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"All wizards should have a hobbit or two in their care..."
