Jonathan is an arrogant fellow, which makes him feeling embarrassment so delicious. Perhaps one of his spells goes wrong in a public setting, he is ordered to do something "beneath him" by Wellington in the Peninsula, or he becomes the subject of ridicule in London's press. Basically, I'd love Jonathan being humiliated in any way and he actually feels embarrassed. The more mortified he is, the better!
Jonathan Strange + humiliation/embarrassment