I think Pharoahs wife had some influence on his decisions. Women mocking men to stand up for . . . whatever. The Ten Commandments depicts it this way and it is perfectly plausible.
True, Moses says she is the lovely dust thru which GOD will work his purpose.
Yes. In Exodus, the method by which God "hardens Pharaoh's heart" is not specified, but Cecil B. DeMille's use of Nefritiri was brilliant, and drove the parallel soapy plot to perfection:
Nefritiri: "I can soften Pharoah's heart...or harden it."
Moses: "Yes...you may be the lovely dust through which God will work His purpose."
